Arkia Israeli Airlines (IZ, Tel Aviv Ben Gurion) and Israir (6H, Tel Aviv Ben Gurion) are looking to start flights to the United States, with the Israeli Ministry of Transport pushing for them to obtain all of the necessary paperwork, the Times of Israel reported.
“Under the leadership of Transportation Minister Miri Regev, and with the Civil Aviation Authority and assistance of the Foreign Affairs, 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,” the ministry told local media.
Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Authority chairman Shmuel Zakay told the financial newspaper Globes that ongoing negotiations are underway with Arkia and Israir to lease aircraft for the purpose with the aim of enhancing competition and reducing ticket prices. He added that there had been a severe shortage of seats on flights between Israel and the US, fuelled by demand from the Jewish community in the US and business links between the two countries.
Neither Arkia nor Israir have widebody aircraft in their in-house fleets that would enable them to operate flights to the US. Arkia’s in-house fleet comprises two A321-200NX(LR)s, and three E195s, while Israir operates eight A320-200s, ch-aviation fleets data shows. Both airlines had plans to venture into the long-haul market before, although targeting primarily Thailand.
Flag carrier El Al Israel Airlines (LY, Tel Aviv Ben Gurion) is the only Israeli airline currently operating flights to the US, ch-aviation schedules data shows. The company has been under scrutiny due to an increase in prices, which facilitated its profit of USD187 million in the third quarter of this year. That is 258% more than in the same quarter of 2023.
Most international airlines, including all US-based carriers, cancelled flights to Israel due to security concerns related to the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.
Earlier this month, Israir said it was eyeing flights to New York Newark with wet-leased aircraft, while a group of Israeli tech entrepreneurs said they were launching a virtual carrier to operate the Newark-Tel Aviv Ben Gurion route.
US Department of Transportation filings show that Arkia last submitted an application for US flights approval in 2021, with no resolution, and no foreign air carrier permit application is on the record for Israir.
Furthermore, according to local media reports, the two airlines are waiting for a parliamentary decision which would relieve them from reimbursing customers in case flights are cancelled during the war. The legislation is also supported by numerous carriers from third countries.
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