Turkey, 'Israel' to sign aviation agreement, bolster tourism, trade

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Turkey and "Israel" will sign a bilateral aviation agreement to multiply direct flights between the two entities as part of the normalization efforts after years of strained relations.

The Israeli Transportation Ministry, on July 7, said that “The agreement is expected to result in the resumption of flights by Israeli companies to a variety of destinations in Türkiye, alongside flights by Turkish companies to Israel."

For the past few months, Israeli and Turkish technical teams have been in talks for the aviation deal which will enable Israeli carriers to fly to a multitude of Turkish destinations - mostly to tourist resorts. Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met for negotiations on such an agreement in March. 

This would mark the first agreement since 1951, according to Israeli media. 

Read more: Turkey ignores Palestine, bolsters ties with 'Israel'

Furthermore, there are talks about increasing tourism cooperation, which is expected to create more opportunities. 

"Israel" will be reopening its Trade Office in Istanbul, according to Hurriyet on July 7. 

The Israeli Economy Minister Orena Barbival announced that the office will resume its work on August 1, as around 1,540 Israeli companies will be operating in Turkey. The reopening of the trade office will "bring momentum to the bilateral economic activities," the minister said. 

In 2021, trade volume between "Israel" and Turkey increased by 30%, hitting $7.7 billion.