EL AL, Israel’s national airline, is doubling the frequency of its direct flights between Chicago and Israel. Passengers can fly direct from Chicago to Tel Aviv four times a week, effective October 22, 2006. The direct flights will operate Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with no change of plane, year round.

The service will operate on state-of-the art Boeing 767 aircraft. Easy connections to many Southern and Midwestern cities such as Dallas, Houston, Detroit, Minneapolis, and St. Louis are available.

An added convenience to EL AL’s new direct service is that, traveling from Israel, passengers will go through Customs and Immigration clearance in Chicago which is now the first point-of-entry into the United States.

“We are pleased to offer passengers from the Midwest the opportunity to travel to Israel with more convenient departure times, an easier Customs and Immigration process in Chicago and no change of plane,” stated Emanuel Shaham, EL AL Midwest Regional Manager. “Passengers also have greater flexibility in choosing their travel dates as a result of the increased frequency of flights.”