Israir Airlines is gearing up to launch direct flights to New York next year, having received initial authorization from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the company confirmed on Monday, according to a report by JNS.
With this move, Israir is set to enter the highly trafficked Tel Aviv–New York route, where it will face competition from established players like El Al, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and its local rival Arkia, which began flying the route earlier this year.
Israir aims to kick off its service in time for Passover, a peak season for travel. According to JNS, the airline is planning to operate six roundtrip flights each week connecting Ben-Gurion International Airport and New York.
To facilitate its new transatlantic operations, Israir will lease an Airbus A330, marking a return to long-haul service for the airline, which last flew to North America more than ten years ago.
The airline, founded in 1989, is part of the Rami Levy Group, a major Israeli holding company best known for its nationwide chain of discount supermarkets. Besides its domestic flights to Eilat, Israir currently serves various destinations across Europe.
{Matzav.com}