Israir. Photo: Shutterstock Israir has taken a major step forward in its strategic growth plan, having received a two-year temporary approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to operate flights between Israel and the United States.
The Israeli airline sees this as a key milestone in its international expansion.
"This is a breakthrough in Israir's global growth strategy," the company stated. "The approval to operate flights to the U.S. opens the door to one of the world’s most important aviation markets and represents a major step in our continued development on the global stage."
This provisional authorization is seen as a strong vote of confidence in Israir’s professionalism, reliability, and operational standards. It also lays the foundation for a permanent operating license, which will be contingent upon meeting the stringent criteria set by U.S. aviation authorities — a responsibility that Israir says it is fully committed to upholding.
With this green light, Israir now enters the next regulatory phase: securing full compliance with the requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
According to the timeline presented to its board of directors, Israir anticipates receiving final approval by June 2025.
Aiming for Takeoff by Passover 2026 – or Sooner
Israir is actively working to complete the regulatory process and begin service on the Tel Aviv–New York route. The airline plans to operate the flights using its own Airbus A330 aircraft, crewed and maintained by Israir’s Israeli personnel, delivering what it calls a distinctly “Israeli flight experience.”
The goal is to launch flights by Passover 2026, though the airline notes they could begin earlier if aircraft availability permits.
Photo: Passport NewsIsrair’s planned entry into the New York route aligns with a broader trend of increased competition among Israeli carriers in the U.S. aviation market, complementing the growing presence of EL AL and Arkia.
EL AL, the long-standing leader on U.S. routes, currently operates six daily flights to New York and a total of 52 weekly flights to key American destinations including Boston, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Los Angeles.
Arkia, which launched its direct Tel Aviv–New York service in February 2025, operates three weekly flights on Sundays, Mondays, and Wednesdays.
The route is serviced by an Airbus A330-900 NEO leased from Iberojet, with Arkia’s own crew on board. The airline also introduced a dedicated business class cabin on this route, offering lie-flat seats and premium service, with fares starting at $1,750.