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Arkia Airbus A321neo
Arkia Israeli Airlines is set to launch a new service between Tel Aviv and New York in February, aiming to challenge El Al Israel Airlines’ dominance on the route amid the continued suspension of Israel flights by U.S. carriers.
The airline intends to operate flights between Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport and New York John F. Kennedy International Airport from Feb. 8, offering three roundtrips per week. An Airbus A330-900 aircraft will be deployed on the sector, leased from Spanish-Portuguese charter carrier Iberojet.
Arkia is partnering with TechAir, a not-for-profit organization founded by the “Israeli High-Tech Headquarters”—a forum comprising founders and executives of technology companies requiring frequent business travel to the U.S.—to offer these flights.
TechAir has been established as a cooperative to address the shortage of international service to and from Israel that has arisen following the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks and the subsequent conflicts involving Israel, Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran.
According to data provided by OAG Schedules Analyser, El Al is the sole provider of nonstop flights between Tel Aviv and New York at the present time, offering a double-daily service to JFK and 11 flights per week to Newark Liberty International Airport. Prior to the Oct. 7 attacks, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines also served the cities. This means that there are about 13,200 two-way seats available, down from more than 28,000 at this time two years ago.
Arkia operates a fleet of nine aircraft, CAPA Fleet Database shows, comprising three A320s, two A321neos, one Boeing 737-800 and three Embraer E195s. The leased A330neo will therefore become its sole widebody aircraft.
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