Beyond New York: Israir's New Long-Haul Routes

Israir is taking a significant step toward becoming a long-haul airline, officially joining the ranks of major market players. The company announced it has received approval from the Civil Aviation Authority for the commercial operation of Airbus A330 aircraft, which it purchased for approximately $85 million.

The approval, granted following a rigorous supervision and examination process, allows Israir to operate the aircraft independently using its own flight and maintenance crews. This expansion enables the company to operate flights to destinations across Europe, Africa, and the Far East. Among the destinations Israir plans to develop are Japan, Thailand, and Hong Kong, alongside its ongoing efforts to establish US routes.

This move is designed to provide a wider range of options for passengers, addressing the high demand for direct flights to destinations like New York, Thailand, and Japan—the latter having become a highly popular choice for Israelis due to its safety and affordability.

At the same time, the company is continuing a separate certification process that will eventually allow it to operate flights to the United States. In recent months, Israir has been working on entering the Tel Aviv–New York route, considered one of the most sought-after for Israeli travelers. Currently, with American airlines yet to resume operations in Israel, competition on this route is primarily driven by El Al and Arkia.

Israir leadership believes the introduction of the A330 aircraft marks the beginning of a new chapter, expanding operations beyond short and medium-haul flights. The company has previously stated its intention to increase industry competition and offer more attractive pricing, mirroring the approach taken by controlling shareholder Rami Levy in the retail food market.