TEL AVIV- Israeli airline Israir (6H) has received temporary approval from the US Department of Transportation to operate flights between Israel and the United States. This significant development will increase competition on the high-demand Tel Aviv (TLV)– New York (JFK) route.
The approval extends for two years and represents the first step toward obtaining a permanent license. Israir (6H) must now meet additional requirements from the FAA and the Transportation Security Administration. The Israeli carrier expects to receive final operating approval by June 2025.
Israir New York Flights
Israir (6H) plans to operate Airbus A330 aircraft on a dry lease arrangement, utilising the company’s own flight and maintenance crews. The preparation process will take considerable time.
According to company statements, “It is estimated that the flights will operate starting from Passover 2026, and possibly before, depending on the availability of the aircraft on a long-term dry lease.” The airline has not specified how many weekly flights it intends to offer.
Previous US Operations
Israir (6H) previously operated flights to the United States but discontinued the service due to a lack of economic viability.
The current situation has changed drastically as the absence of US airlines from Israel during the war created demand that exceeds supply on routes to the United States.
El Al (LY) remained the only airline operating direct flights for approximately six months. Arkia Airlines (IZ) launched three weekly flights on this route last February and has confirmed the service will continue until at least March 2026 due to high demand.
Current US-Israel Flight Options
United Airlines (UA) resumed flights to Tel Aviv (TLV) in March with 14 weekly flights, while Delta (DL) restarted operations at the beginning of this month with 7 weekly flights.
El Al (LY) currently operates 52 weekly flights to destinations in the United States.
American Airlines (AA), which previously operated 10 weekly flights to the US (seven to New York and three to Miami), is not expected to return to Israel in the foreseeable future.
About Israir
Israir (6H) serves as Israel’s third-largest airline and operates primarily as a scheduled and charter carrier. Founded in 1989, the airline maintains its headquarters at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv (TLV). Israir (6H) focuses on domestic routes within Israel as well as international flights to European and Mediterranean destinations.
The airline typically operates a fleet of Airbus aircraft for its short and medium-haul routes. This expansion into the lucrative US market represents a significant strategic move for the carrier amid changing competitive dynamics in the Israel-US air corridor. Listed on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE: ISRG), Israir’s upcoming US service marks an important chapter in the company’s growth strategy.
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