Arkia will be operating the hi-tech industry’s TechAir airline, Arkia announced on Monday.
Its direct flight between Tel Aviv and New York will mark the first time the Israeli airline flies to the US.
The buzz in Israel’s aviation industry lately had been about TechAir, but it was unknown until Monday who would be operating the company’s wet lease.
Flights will leave Ben-Gurion Airport for New York on Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. and on Mondays and Wednesdays at noon. Flights from New York will leave on Sundays and Tuesdays at 3 p.m. and on Thursdays at 4 p.m.
The flights, which will be available to the public, will launch on February 8 and continue through May. The price of a round-trip flight, including luggage, two full meals, and drinks, will start at $1,199.
The flights will be operated on an advanced Airbus 330-900 NEO aircraft, one of the newest and leading aircraft of the Spanish-Portuguese company Iberojet.
“I congratulate Arkia for accepting our offer and entering the aviation market to the US and Canada,” Transportation Minister Miri Regev said.
“This is a move that will expand the range of flights to North America and help Israeli citizens, tourists, and business people find flights at affordable prices,” she said. “The State of Israel will assist airlines that choose to operate direct flights to the US, which will lead to real competition. More flights, more options for passengers, and lower prices.”
Serious shortage of flights
TechAir’s founding came amid a serious shortage of flights to and from Israel due to international airlines’ cancellations of flights due to security concerns during the war.
It is nearly impossible to book an economy seat with the few airlines still operating regularly out of Israel. Those that are available are in Premium Economy or higher and cost more than $3,000 (NIS 11,000) for a round-trip ticket.
“The ongoing security situation in Israel has led to the suspension of many international flights, exacerbating the challenges for travelers, particularly those heading to New York,” the TechAir website says.
“Recognizing the critical need for affordable and accessible travel, the Israeli High-Tech Headquarters has launched an innovative nonprofit initiative, TechAir, to address the growing crisis. This initiative aims to restore open skies for Israel, offering practical and cost-effective solutions to the scarcity of flights to the United States.”