This morning, a Sun Dor flight from the El Al group took off from Tel Aviv to Istanbul for the first time in 15 years as part of the new flight line for the summer of 2023. The renewal of the line, which includes four weekly flights, was made possible against the background of the warming of relations between Turkey and Israel and in light of the growing demand of the Israeli public.
The maiden flight was led by the service managers on the flight, the brothers Liat and Jackie Elazar, second generation El Al employees. Their father, the late Avraham, was the manager of the El Al station in Istanbul in 1978-80. In 1980, he was murdered while performing his duties, by terrorists who shot at his car as he was leaving the airport. Sun Dor chose Liat and Jackie Elazar to take part in this flight, as a sign of appreciation and respect for their father and family.
Jacky Elazar made an exciting announcement on the flight: “Dear passengers, we are happy to host you today on Sun Dor’s debut flight to Istanbul. My name is Jackie Elazar and I am the service manager on this special flight. Together with me in the team of the flight service manager, Liat Elazar, my sister. This is an exciting flight for us. Our father Avraham Elazar was the manager of the El Al station in Istanbul and in 1980 he was killed there in a terrorist attack. We are full of pride and honor to take part in this historic flight and are happy about the renewal of the flight line to Istanbul. We wish you a pleasant flight and a pleasant vacation in Istanbul.’
Gal Gershon, CEO of Sun Dor, said: “We are happy to celebrate today the opening of the line to Istanbul, Turkey, a favorite destination for the Israeli audience. The fact that today’s flight is full indicates that, along with the large offer of flights to the destination, the Israeli public was waiting for the return of the Israeli companies and expected the return of the El Al group to the flight line to Istanbul. We embrace Liat and Jackie, the flight attendants, the children of the late Avraham Elazar, and are excited for the opportunity to honor their father’s memory and share with them in this historic flight.”