The plane looks as if it had resorted to an emergency landing over this asphalt strip, but for the 60-year-old twin brothers, Atta and Khamis Al-Serafi, the presence of this plane in that place is the result of decades of work.
The old Boeing 707 plane, crouched amidst the grass, dust and pieces of stones in the city of Nablus in Palestine, was decorated with painting its wings and tail fin in the colors of the Palestinian and Jordanian flags, shining brightly against the background of the mountains as it prepares to set off on a new type of flights.
The wing and tail fin are decorated in the colors of the Palestinian and Jordanian (German) flags.
In-flight restaurant
The twins have only a few weeks to open a restaurant inside a Boeing plane, thus realizing their long-held dream.
Despite the turmoil caused by the Corona pandemic, the older brother Atta says, “We hope that within two months we will be able to open the restaurant, God willing.” Since he was born 5 minutes before his brother Khamis, he took over the task of speaking.
The twin brothers grew up in the "Askar" refugee camp in Nablus, and they coexisted by buying and recycling scrap metal for years, but they kept dreaming of working in the tourism and entertainment sector.
Brothers Atta (left) and Khamis defy difficult circumstances and open a restaurant on a Boeing plane in Nablus (German)
Boeing's story
Nearly 30 years ago, they heard about the old Boeing plane, which belongs to the eighties of the last century, and is based in the city of Tiberias overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Atta Al-Serafi says, "The last flight of this passenger plane was to Berlin."
There was enthusiasm in their hearts, and they hoped to buy the plane and turn it into a restaurant.
However, they discovered that the process of buying the plane, which was completed in 1999, is the easiest step.
It turned out that they needed a permit from Israel's Ben Gurion Airport, in order to move the plane after removing its engines, flight equipment and seats installed on board.
As for the flight of the plane, it was also found that they need special vehicles, as well as roadblocks in which the vehicles will pass.
And the flight to transport the plane was more complicated than all expectations. "We had to cut down some trees so that the plane could pass," Atta says.
One of the factors that made the transportation process more difficult was that a temporary Israeli army camp was established above the site where the plane is currently located.
Obstacles and challenges
The Palestinian-Israeli conflict also cast a shadow over their project, and the process of establishing the restaurant, which was scheduled to be implemented during that period, was greatly delayed, when the second Palestinian intifada erupted during the period from 2000 to 2005.
After the site was approved for civilian purposes, the Corona pandemic created new obstacles.
The two brothers were finally able this year to put the final touches on the interiors of the plane, and this was done during the spring and summer.
Atta adds, "Our restaurant accommodates only 35 guests at the present time due to the pandemic, and we will prepare a kitchen on the ground under the plane, and use an elevator to deliver foods to the top."
The idea appeals to the residents of Nablus, where there is no airport and the twins have only weeks to open the restaurant (German)
Waiting for the opening
Until the restaurant opens, the two brothers will only serve coffee, tea and soft drinks to visitors on the grounds.
In this courtyard, shisha (hookah) will be served, and tables with umbrellas will be placed in front of the plane.
The restaurant was equipped with red plastic tables and white plastic chairs, with a gray carpet under it. It looks more like a simple cafe inside an airport than a first-class lounge at the airport.
Nevertheless, the idea of the restaurant became very attractive to the residents of Nablus, since there is no airport in the West Bank.
A little boy, holding his father's hand, wanders around the inside of the plane, feeling amazed and admiring.
Atta comments, "Whoever wants to visit the plane to watch has to pay an entrance fee." Although these fees do not bring them revenues similar to those expected from the restaurant, it helps to promote the idea.
Selfie with the plane
Here Khamis intervenes, commenting, "Visitors want to take selfies in front of and inside the plane, and they are also popular with those who are about to get married, as they make it a background for photo sessions on the occasion of their marriage."
The brothers have so far invested 2 million shekels (about $620,000) in spending on their project, and since there is little international tourism in the West Bank, they rely on locals looking to have a meal in a different location.
As for making a profit, the twin brothers confirm that the project will soon be launched, and in this regard, Khamis says, "It represents great risks... but our hearts are attached to it."