India Is Our Strong Anchor In The Asia Pacific Region

EL AL Israel Airlines completes 10 years of service in India. To firm up further business ties and airline links between Israel and India, Amos Shapira, president EL AL Israel Airlines Ltd in conversation with Reema Sisodia, reveals his future plans for the Indian market

It has been 10 years since your maiden flight to India. How do you analyse the years gone by?

To begin with let me tell you India is a very special destination for Israel both in terms of business and tourism. India is very popular among the Israeli citizens especially the youth. There is a special bond between the two nations and the diplomatic ties between the countries that happened 10 years ago has strengthened the connections further. EL AL as played an extremely dynamic role of a catalyst in improving political and trade relations hence concertising the bonds of friendship and understanding between the two countries. I look back with pride as statistics reveal a tremendous improvement in business on the Indian sector.

How do you analyse the future?

Over the past 10 years, EL AL has grown from a single weekly transit passenger flight en route Bangkok to two weekly flights to Mumbai and seasonal services to New Delhi. We are extremely positive about the Indian market as the year 2003 has been very resourceful for us. The Israeli prime minister's visit to India has accelerated business traffic between the countries. The third quarter results have been very encouraging.

What is the agenda for the India market?

There is lots of action in store. We aim to increase our sales and marketing team and also our marketing and distribution systems across the country. We also plan to increase the seat capacity in the future and strengthen the position of Mumbai as an important hub followed by New Delhi. The airline business has become highly volatile and unpredictable, hence it is difficult to same anything as definite with respect to the future. All I can say is that India is a very important market for the airline. The opening up of the consulate office in Mumbai will further strengthen ties.