US Airways has applied to operate year-round service between its hub in Philadelphia and Tel Aviv, Israel. Linking the two sister cities with a daily nonstop flight, the service is set to begin in July 2009 and is subject to both U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Israeli government approval.

“Announcing our first service to the Middle East is the perfect follow up to our London Heathrow service which began in March,” said US Airways Chairman and CEO Doug Parker. “Today’s announcement comes, of course, with the outstanding effort and support of Philadelphia City Mayor Nutter and Rina Cutler, Deputy Mayor of Transportation and Utilities.”

Philadelphia City Mayor Michael Nutter said, “We appreciate US Airways’ commitment to enhancing our city’s economy and culture with this new service. We look forward to working with US Airways to further establish Philadelphia as a major international gateway.”

Tel Aviv makes the twenty-first trans-Atlantic destination served from its Philadelphia hub. At more than 5,700 miles, the Tel Aviv flight will be the longest nonstop segment in the US Airways network made possible by the delivery of new, longer-range A330-200 aircraft set for delivery in spring 2009.
——-