Budget airline Israir to launch flights between Israel and NY, ending wartime monopoly by flagship carrier El Al

An Israeli low-cost hose is readying to motorboat flights betwixt Israel and New York this winter, ending nan wartime monopoly connected nan celebrated way by Israel’s flagship bearer El Al, nan Israeli Ministry of Transportation said connected Wednesday.

The move, which envisions 4 play flights connected Israir from Tel Aviv to Newark Liberty International Airport, comes astatine a clip erstwhile flights connected U.S. carriers to and from Tel Aviv remain suspended owed to nan information situation, and arsenic El Al is facing an investigation for value gouging connected tickets owed to nan dearth of disposable seats.

“Israir is successful nan precocious stages of leasing wide-body craft that will enable, for nan first clip successful nan company’s history, nan cognition of a nonstop statement to New York,” said a Transportation Ministry statement.

El Al is Israel’s flagship carrier. AP

Founded successful 1989 arsenic a mini home carrier, Israir, which operates only 8 aircraft, will beryllium leasing planes and crews from a overseas hose successful bid to work nan lucrative way to New York, which is mostly nan astir celebrated formation from Ben-Gurion International Airport adjacent Tel Aviv.

Owned by nan Rami Levy Group, champion known for its discount supermarket chain, nan hose presently services various European destinations arsenic good arsenic home flights to nan Israeli Red Sea edifice metropolis of Eilat.

The motorboat of nan caller statement to New York connected Israir is awaiting U.S. regulatory approval, which Israeli officials are seeking to expedite owed to nan precocious request for seats connected nan way since U.S. carriers are not flying to and from Tel Aviv because of nan warfare connected Israel’s bluish and confederate fronts.

Both United and American Airlines person suspended flights to Israel indefinitely, while Delta is presently scheduled to resume flights to Tel Aviv only successful April. United and Delta had sought to resume flights periodically complete nan past year, only to suspend work anew pursuing flareups, while American has stayed distant entirely.

“Everyone successful nan manufacture would beryllium ecstatic if a 2nd Israeli bearer were to alert to New York,” Mark Feldman, Jerusalem Director of Diesenhaus Tours told JNS Wednesday.  “While it sounds for illustration it won’t beryllium an easy path, we applaud their efforts.”

Travelers person faced sky-high prices complete nan past twelvemonth connected El Al for nonstop flights crossed nan Atlantic, aliases alternatively having to recreation via connecting flights done Europe.

The bearer is facing an investigation for value gouging connected tickets. AP

El Al, which is enjoying grounds profits owed to deficiency of competition, has been doling retired immense bonuses to their executives and pilots, pinch nan second receiving $67,500 bonuses this year, nan Israeli financial daily Globes reported.

Meanwhile, nan Transportation Ministry is processing a petition by overseas airlines to amend nan rule requiring them to compensate passengers for canceled flights during nan war—before they resume flights to Israel.

The existent rule requires airlines to supply compensation to passengers for formation cancellations and changes, and, if necessary, find and salary for their replacement flights.

“The Transportation Minister is moving to … amend nan rule truthful that it will let for nan protection of passengers’ authorities arsenic good arsenic trim nan uncertainties for nan airlines during wartime,” nan Transportation Ministry said.