Virgin Atlantic opens Tel Aviv link

Virgin Atlantic’s first flight to Tel Aviv touched down at Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport with a full cargo payload as the airline continues to extend its international route network.

The new daily Airbus A330-300 flights offer 20 tonnes of cargo capacity to and from London Heathrow as well as fast connections with Virgin Atlantic’s network serving major gateways in the US, Israel’s biggest trading partner.

Virgin Atlantic’s cargo capacity ex-Israel is being marketed by its GSSA partner, WTA Aviation, while Swissport is providing cargo handling services in Tel Aviv.

With “strong support” expected from freight forwarders, Virgin Atlantic Cargo is confident of gaining a healthy share of the market, which produces high volumes of pharmaceutical, e-commerce, express and valuable shipments as well as high-tech products, fresh produce and other general cargo.

Dominic Kennedy, managing director of Virgin Atlantic Cargo, said: “We are delighted to welcome Tel Aviv to our network. It is an important cargo route and we have been extremely encouraged by the level of interest and bookings for both our direct services between London and Tel Aviv and the US connections we now offer over our London hub.”

Next month will see further expansion of Virgin Atlantic’s long-haul cargo network when it recommences daily London-Mumbai services and, in early 2020, the airline will begin its first operation in South America with a new daily London-São Paulo route.