Israir Airlines has received preliminary approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to begin operating flights to the United States, marking a major milestone in the airline’s push to expand its international footprint. The DOT’s authorization, granted Monday, is a temporary permit that could become permanent once Israir meets all safety and operational requirements set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The airline expects to secure full approval by June 2025, according to a timeline shared with its board of directors. Israir plans to launch nonstop Tel Aviv–New York service using Airbus A330 aircraft, with flights operated by its own flight and maintenance crews. Israir says it plans to launch the Tel Aviv-New York route by Pesach 2026 El Al, Israel’s national carrier, has enjoyed near-monopoly status during the ongoing war with Hamas, particularly as foreign airlines suspended service. El Al has positioned itself as the “Spirit of Israel” to maintain customer loyalty, but Israir’s entry into the U.S. market is poised to offer consumers a competitive alternative. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)