Overview
- Israir, which received final clearance from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration on Monday, has completed the regulatory approvals needed to run scheduled commercial flights to the United States.
- The airline says it will begin selling tickets very soon and had targeted an October 19 start for nonstop service between Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport and New York, though the carrier says the launch could come earlier now that FAA approval is in hand.
- The FAA sign‑off follows earlier permissions from Israeli aviation authorities and the U.S. Department of Transportation and is the normal final step required for foreign carriers to fly scheduled routes into the U.S.
- Israir’s entry will add capacity on the busy Israel–U.S. corridor served by El Al and Arkia and will join returning U.S. carriers such as United and Delta, which are planning resumed service, while American Airlines has delayed its return.
- The carrier’s ability to pursue transatlantic flights rests on its recently acquired wide‑body Airbus A330s, a move that underpins its long‑haul capability and could put downward pressure on fares and increase travel options for passengers.