Fire engines formed a water arch to welcome the flight, the first since 2007 when the airline cut the route as part of its reorganisation plan. Airport operator Hermes expressed its satisfaction. “The resumption of the Israeli airline’s flights to and from Cyprus will strengthen Larnaca airport’s efforts to develop its network and further enrich passengers’ choices,” Hermes spokesman Adamos Aspris said in a statement.

Larnaca is one of two new destinations added to EL AL’s schedule. The airline will carry out two flights per week, Wednesday and Saturday, from Tel Aviv. Hermes said it expected a significant increase in the frequency of flights during the summer season.

El Al cut the Larnaca route, as well as Istanbul, in March 2007. The privatised airline said at the time that the routes were not meeting criteria set in its business reorganization plan, and were being eliminated to cut costs.

Source: Cyprus Mail