Israir plans U.S. return after 16-year hiatus amid capacity shortfall

Israir Airlines has filed an application with the U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) seeking a foreign air carrier permit to resume scheduled flights between Tel Aviv and New York, marking the carrier’s return to the U.S. market after a 16-year hiatus. The move comes as part of efforts to address an ongoing capacity shortfall on routes between Israel and the U.S., where available seats remain about 42% lower than two years ago, prior to the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas in October 2023. According to the application, the Israeli airline plans to launch six weekly nonstop roundtrips between Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport and the New York region starting July 1. The route will be operated using Airbus A330-200 aircraft. In addition to scheduled passenger service, Israir plans to operate charter flights under the U.S.-Israel Air Transport Agreement. The airline last served the U.S. market in 2009 before suspending operations due to “market conditions” at the time.<br/>