Arkia to Launch First Direct Israeli Flights to Manila in January 2027
Israeli airline Arkia will launch direct flights from Tel Aviv to Manila starting January 3, 2027. The seasonal route will operate weekly using an Airbus A330, marking the first direct connection between the nations in 70 years.
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For the first time in approximately 70 years—since Philippine Airlines briefly operated a route in the 1950s—and for the first time ever by an Israeli carrier, Arkia is launching a direct flight route to Manila, the capital of the Philippines.
The new route, landing at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL), is scheduled to begin operations on January 3, 2027. Arkia will offer one weekly direct flight, departing Tel Aviv on Sundays at noon and returning from Manila on Monday mornings. The route will operate between January and April, aligning with the peak tourism season in the Philippines.
Competitive Edge Over El Al
This move gives Arkia a significant competitive advantage, placing it ahead of national carrier El Al. Although El Al announced plans in February to launch its own direct flights to Manila, it has yet to declare an official launch date. Arkia is thus positioned to become the first Israeli airline to establish a direct connection to the Philippines.
Flight times from Tel Aviv to Manila will be approximately 11 hours, while the return flight to Israel will take about 12 hours and 20 minutes. Ticket prices will start at $750 one-way for economy class and $1,800 one-way for business class.
Fleet and Onboard Services
The flights will be operated using a wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft (wet-leased from GullivAir), configured with two service classes: an economy cabin with 268 seats and a premium business class cabin with 19 seats. Business class passengers will have access to fully flat-bed seats, increased baggage allowance, lounge access, personal amenity kits, and gourmet meals designed by Arkia's executive chef, Shahaf Shabtay.
Manila joins Arkia's expanding long-haul network in the Far East, which currently includes Bangkok, Phuket, Hanoi, and Tokyo, alongside its flights to New York.
Arkia CEO Oz Berlowitz officially unveiled the route at a festive event attended by the Philippine Ambassador to Israel, Aileen Mendiola.
Berlowitz stated:
"The opening of this route will generate real competition, bring a price breakthrough for the Israeli consumer, and serve as a major gateway to the thousands of islands in the Philippines, which are considered among the top tourism destinations globally."
