Israeli Airlines Aim to Launch New US Routes
Arkia Israeli Airlines (IZ) and Israir (6H), both operating out of Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport, are making strategic moves to initiate flights to the United States. This development comes as the Israeli Ministry of Transport intensifies efforts to secure the necessary approvals and paperwork, according to a recent report by the Times of Israel.
Under the guidance of Transportation Minister Miri Regev, the Ministry of Transport, in collaboration with the Civil Aviation Authority and support from the Foreign Affairs sector, is actively pursuing approvals from the US federal government. The ministry emphasized its commitment to expanding air travel options to North America, aiming to boost connectivity and meet growing demand. “We are working to obtain the approvals from the US federal government for the flights and are promoting additional initiatives to increase the number of flights to North America,” a ministry spokesperson told local media.
In parallel, Shmuel Zakay, chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, informed the financial newspaper Globes that negotiations are ongoing with Arkia and Israir to lease additional aircraft. The objective is to enhance competition in the market, which is expected to lead to lower ticket prices for consumers. Zakay highlighted a significant shortage of available seats on routes between Israel and the US, driven by high demand from the American Jewish community and robust business ties between the two nations.
Currently, neither Arkia nor Israir possesses widebody aircraft in their existing fleets, which are necessary for long-haul flights to the US. Arkia’s fleet includes two Airbus A321-200NX(LR) and three Embraer E195 aircraft, while Israir operates eight Airbus A320-200s, as per ch-aviation fleet data. Both airlines have previously expressed intentions to enter the long-haul market, initially targeting destinations like Thailand.
El Al Israel Airlines (LY), the national flag carrier, remains the sole Israeli airline operating direct flights to the United States, according to ch-aviation schedules data. El Al has recently come under scrutiny for increasing its ticket prices, a move that contributed to its third-quarter profit soaring to USD 187 million—a 258% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
The current geopolitical climate has impacted international air travel, with most global airlines, including all US-based carriers, suspending flights to Israel due to security concerns related to ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. This suspension has further exacerbated the demand for available seats on the remaining routes.
Earlier this month, Israir announced plans to launch flights to New York Newark using wet-leased aircraft. Additionally, a group of Israeli tech entrepreneurs revealed their initiative to establish a virtual carrier aimed at operating the Newark-Tel Aviv Ben Gurion route. These efforts signify a growing interest and investment in expanding air travel options between Israel and the United States.
US Department of Transportation records indicate that Arkia last submitted an application for US flight approvals in 2021, which remains unresolved. Currently, there is no record of a foreign air carrier permit application filed by Israir. This indicates that both airlines are still navigating the regulatory landscape to secure the necessary permissions for their proposed US routes.
Moreover, local media reports suggest that Arkia and Israir are awaiting a parliamentary decision that would exempt them from reimbursing customers in the event of flight cancellations during periods of war. This proposed legislation has garnered support from several carriers based in third countries, highlighting a broader industry effort to mitigate financial risks associated with unpredictable geopolitical situations.
As Arkia and Israir continue their pursuit to establish new US routes, the collaboration between the airlines, the Israeli Ministry of Transport, and the Civil Aviation Authority will be crucial.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com