Since the outbreak of the war in 2023, flying in and out of Israel’s capital Tel Aviv has become increasingly difficult. Israeli airline Arkia and TechAir are now joining forces to fly non-stop between Israel and the United States.
As the war progresses, many carriers have ceased operations in Israel, and those that continue to do so frequently have to cancel their flights. Israeli airline El Al is currently the only one still flying nonstop between Tel Aviv and North America, resulting in high ticket prices due to the lack of competition and limited availability.
“The ongoing security situation in Israel has led to the suspension of many international flights, exacerbating the challenges for travellers, particularly those heading to New York,” TechAir said in a statement. “Recognizing the critical need for affordable and accessible travel, the Israeli High-Tech Headquarters has launched an innovative nonprofit initiative, TechAir, to address the growing crisis. This initiative aims to restore open skies for Israel, offering practical and cost-effective solutions to the scarcity of flights to the United States.”
Arkia and TechAir are partnering for an initial period of three months to provide additional nonstop flights at more affordable prices. Round-trip economy tickets on the leased Airbus NEO 330-900 Iberojet passenger aircraft between Tel Aviv and New York will start at $1.199, which includes luggage, seating, and two meals. As part of the collaboration between Arkia and TechAir, several seats will be reserved for the high-tech industry. This will mark Arkia’s first flights to the United States.

“I congratulate Arkia for accepting our offer and entering the aviation market to the US and Canada,” Transportation Minister Miri Regev said. “This is a move that will expand the range of flights to North America and help Israeli citizens, tourists, and business people find flights at affordable prices. The State of Israel will assist airlines that choose to operate direct flights to the US, which will lead to real competition. More flights, more options for passengers, and lower prices.”
As part of the state aid, the government will cover a portion of the compensation costs for passengers in the event of flight cancellations due to the security situation.
The Arkia x TechAir flights between Tel Aviv and New York are scheduled to commence on 8 February and will operate for three months, three times a week, according to the following timetable.