Tel Aviv. Expected traffic between Israel and the Gulf states that recently signed normalization agreements with Israel bring more airlines to operate flights on these routes.

Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air is launching Tel Aviv – Abu Dhabi flights from next month. The move was expected as Wizz Air has a hub in Abu Dhabi.

Operations will commence on the new route on February 12, with four weekly flights and from March 1, Wizz Air plans operating daily flights. From late November four carriers began flying on the Tel Aviv – Dubai route – flydubai, Arkia, Israir and El Al. 67,000 passengers flew from Israel to Dubai in December.

Wizz Air will be the first to operate on the Tel Aviv – Abu Dhabi route although the distance between Abu Dhabi and Dubai is only 100 kilometres. Etihad Airways is expected to launch Tel Aviv – Abu Dhabi flights from mid-March. Emirates also plans to launch Tel Aviv – Dubai flights.

-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist