Airlines in the UK and Ireland are being offered a €45 per passenger cash incentive to start winter sun flights to Eilat.
The commercial carrot is being dangled by the Israel tourism ministry in a new directive to encourage airlines to fly to the Red Sea resort.
Carriers would have to commit to a minimum of 16 return flights between October 6 and April 22, 2016 to be considered for the pay out, up to a total of €1 million per airline.
The Israel Government Tourist Office, the UK arm of for the Ministry of Tourism, has begun discussions with several British and European airlines over the new directive.
The deadline for submissions by airlines to the Ministry of Tourism closes on June 15.
UK and Ireland director Naama Oryan-Kaplan said: “Eilat is the perfect winter sun destination for British and Irish holidaymakers.
“We know that direct flights will encourage Brits to visit Eilat and the Red Sea resort and experience the wealth of activities that Eilat has to offer.
“We are currently in discussion with several airlines regarding this new directive and hope to offer new services to southern Israel later this year.”