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Interior Minister Aryeh Deri on Tuesday 27 Nisan visited with senior El Al Airlines officials at Ben-Gurion International Airport.

With senior ministry officials accompanying him, Deri addressed flights to Uman for Rosh Hashanah, which appear to continue growing in popularity. Speaking with El Al CEO David Maimon and senior airline officials, Maimon presented Deri with data documenting El Al’s accomplishments in the international community along with data showing how trusted the airline has become in the eyes of travelers.

Regarding travel to Uman, to the tziyun of Rav Nachman ZT”L ZY”A, Maimon explained he is in contact with Ukrainian officials to take the necessary steps to accommodate El Al flights for mispallalim wishing to travel to Uman for Rosh Hashanah.

Today, he explained, travelers must land in Odessa or Kiev and then make the trek to Uman, a trip that takes hours. He feels that if El Al flights could land in Uman it would significantly simplify the trip for travelers.

Deri questioned if the large number of travelers could be accommodated in Uman and Maimon explained that yes, arrangements can be made to permit such an arrangement.

Deri also met with border control officials who explained the procedure and how they operate during peak times when the flow of travelers increases several fold. This he was told is the case before Yomim Tovim and during summer months.

Deri also sat in on a special board meeting of the Israel Ports Authority held in his honor. Officials explained to him that the number of arrivals and departures continues growing annually, and while this is true, the number of tourists has not changed dramatically.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem/Photos: Media Resource Group)