DOT Grants Tentative Approval For Israir’s Return To U.S. Market

The U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) has tentatively approved Israir Airlines’ application to resume service to the U.S., clearing a key regulatory hurdle for the Israeli carrier’s return to the market after more than 16 years.

Under the decision, Israir has been granted an exemption and tentatively awarded a foreign air carrier permit, authorizing it to operate scheduled and charter flights transporting passengers, cargo and mail between Israel and the U.S., as well as to points beyond both countries. The authority is valid for two years or until the permit becomes final.

Israir intends to launch up to 6X-weekly nonstop roundtrips between Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) and the New York region ahead of Passover in 2026, using Airbus A330-200 aircraft. The airline last served the U.S. market in 2009.

“We find that grant of this authority is consistent with the public interest; that the applicant has demonstrated, based on the record, that it is financially and operationally qualified to perform the services authorized; and that it is substantially owned and effectively controlled by citizens of its claimed homeland,” the DOT decision said.

The move comes as Israeli carriers seek to restore and expand U.S. connectivity following a reduction in service in the aftermath of the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks and the subsequent conflicts involving Israel, Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran. According to OAG Schedules Analyser data, capacity between the U.S. and Israel totals about 175,000 two-way seats in April 2025, compared with 205,000 at this time in 2023.

In February, Arkia Airlines launched nonstop service between Tel Aviv and New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), while El Al Israel Airlines is currently offering 51 roundtrip flights per week across six routes, up from 37X-weekly flights in April 2023.

However, U.S. carriers Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have recently resumed service to the Israeli market. United restarted its TLV flights from Newark on March 15 and is currently operating twice daily, according to OAG data. Delta resumed a route from JFK on April 1 and is offering daily service.

Before the Israel-Hamas war, American Airlines operated flights to Tel Aviv from JFK and Miami, while Delta served TLV from Atlanta, Boston and JFK. United offered the most extensive network, connecting Tel Aviv with Newark, Chicago O’Hare, San Francisco and Washington Dulles.