Palestinian Airlines back in the air after seven year break

Associated Press reported that the two-aircraft airline is back in business with two weekly flights and a borrowed hub in Egypt. The airline currently operated two Fokker 50 turboprops.

The agency reported that in the late 1990s, when Palestinians appeared on the verge of a statehood deal with Israel, Palestinian Airlines operated from Gaza International Airport, flew tens of thousands of passengers a year to Middle Eastern destinations and planned to expand to Europe.

But those ambitions were crushed when Israeli troops destroyed the Gaza airport, and the airline was forced to move its base to the Egyptian coastal resort of El-Arish, about 60 kilometres from Gaza.

Israel has opposed the building of an airport in the West Bank Palestinian area with residents having to travel to Jordan to get flights, however the carrier is owned by the Palestinian Authority based on the West Bank.

Airline officials said flights to Saudi Arabia for Muslim pilgrims from Gaza are set to begin later this week, and routes to the United Arab Emirates and Turkey are being planned AP reported.