Originally Posted by
davidcamp6
The idea that VS decided on a route to TLV because of the nationality of the CEO is a ludicrous assumption and appears to reflect little knowledge in the appeal TLV has to many non-religious people. I doubt nationality would be assumed to be a reason if he were of any other nationality and a route established to different home country.
Not ludicrous at all. His predecessor, an American, oversaw the cutting of long-standing routes to the likes of SYD, BOM and TYO in favour of expanding in the US.
It’s perfectly reasonable to assume that an Israeli would see more than most the potential of TLV as a destination with broad appeal, a destination I doubt VS would ever have even considered were he not in charge.
Back on topic, TLV clearly has/had a loyal and passionate group of regular BA travellers who’ve been very vocal in defending its justification for a widebody. But while BA has many faults, it does know its business and it clearly believes those regulars aren’t numerous enough to sustain a widebody to a destination where tourism has nosedived.