Israeli airline Arkia announced Monday that it would be flying to 40 destinations around the world this summer, expanding its service in both Europe and Asia.
The growth highlights the resurgence of Israel’s aviation sector and the reemergence of Tel Aviv as a regional travel hub following the war against Hamas, and comes as the Hungarian budget carrier Wizz Air is launching a hub in Israel.
Israel’s third-largest carrier will launch weekly service to Phuket, Thailand, going head-to-head against flag carrier El Al, twice-weekly flights to the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, as well as seasonal routes to Malaga and Ibiza in Spain this summer.
The airline already launched the first-ever flights to Hanoi, Vietnam from Tel Aviv last month, getting a headstart on El Al, which is now planning such flights only this fall.
Arkia will also offer six weekly flights to New York, competing against El Al, United, and Delta, as it eyes even further expansion. American and Israir are also scheduled to resume flying on the lucrative North American route this spring.
The Israeli carrier is also inaugurating business class seats on its flights to Europe, starting with Paris at $850 one way, in addition to such service on its New York and Far East routes.
“The decision was made against the backdrop of high demand for premium products,” said Arkia CEO Oz Berlowitz at a press conference in Tel Aviv.
