Originally Posted by
TLVtraveler
I actually had a very interesting talk with a KL captain a few months ago, he used to fly to TLV in the 90's to the early 2003. In the early 90's KL served TLV with an A310-200 and later they switched to a 767-300ER, this was done up until 2003 when they permanently switched to the 737, for a short period of time during the revolution in Egypt KL switched the 777 that is usually used on the CAI-AMS route to the TLV-AMS route. There is definitely a need for a bigger bird to TLV, J is usually 90%-100% and Y is more variable depending on seasonality.
Not really, since the market has been deregulated more and more over the years. Today, even low cost carriers are operating flights to Israel.
Israel used to be amazing market yield-wise decades ago with only two airlines operating within the frame of a tightly regulated BASA, so basically one daily flight on both flag carriers from all major European countries max.
TLV used to be the most profitable flight on the LH network for many quarters, a full 744 with one crew flying the RT. They could basically charge full fare across the board, especially during the 'war-like' periods we saw a few times over the last 15 years resulting in extra strong demand.