Israel’s Arkia Airlines is bringing back its nonstop Tel Aviv–New York route, scrapping the awkward detour through Cyprus that was added during the recent conflict with Iran.
The change marks a quiet but significant return to normalcy, coming just weeks after a fragile ceasefire ended the worst bout of hostilities the region has seen in over a decade. Arkia’s flights will now land directly at JFK without needing to swap out crews in Larnaca, giving travelers smoother, quicker trips—and signaling that the airline sees conditions stable enough to go full throttle.
No More Larnaca Layovers
For nearly two months, every Arkia flight heading from New York to Tel Aviv had to pause mid-route in Larnaca, Cyprus. Not because of technical problems—but because Israeli flight crews couldn’t legally be stationed or swapped in the U.S. during the height of the conflict.
That extra leg added time, cost, and a dose of geopolitical tension to what’s usually a straightforward haul.
Now, Arkia’s telling customers: it’s over.
The airline confirmed Wednesday that as of July 4, all Tel Aviv–New York flights will be direct again. Five flights per week will run on wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft operated by Bulgarian partner GullivAir.
One sentence. That’s how Arkia quietly dropped the news.
War Forced a Reboot—Now It’s Business as Usual
The 12-day war with Iran in May and June upended air travel into and out of Israel. Missile threats and regional overflights meant carriers had to either reroute or ground international services.
Arkia wasn’t alone. Major international airlines including Delta, Lufthansa, and Emirates suspended flights altogether. But Arkia, Israel’s second-largest airline, tried to keep a lifeline open—albeit with heavy adjustments.
Flights were redirected. Crews were cycled out in Cyprus. Some routes were paused entirely.
“The Larnaca stop wasn’t ideal, but it was the safest way to maintain operations and serve our passengers,” said a senior Arkia operations official who wasn’t authorized to speak on record.
But with the guns quiet—at least for now—the airline is aiming to restore trust and win back fliers.
Flying Into a Crowded Market
Arkia’s return to full service between Israel and the U.S. puts it back in the thick of one of the world’s most competitive air corridors.
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El Al, Israel’s flagship airline, runs multiple daily flights to both JFK and Newark.
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Delta resumed service to Tel Aviv just last week after suspending operations during the conflict.
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American Airlines is expected to relaunch its routes later this month, with a wait-and-watch approach to the region’s stability.
Unlike its rivals, Arkia doesn’t own long-haul planes. It’s leasing the A330s from GullivAir to make the route viable.
Still, that hasn’t stopped Arkia from trying to chip away at the dominance of El Al or appeal to a younger, budget-conscious traveler base.
A table of currently active direct flights between Tel Aviv and New York gives a sense of the rivalry:
| Airline | Route | Aircraft Type | Weekly Flights | Operational Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Al | Tel Aviv – JFK/Newark | Boeing 787 | 21+ | Fully operational |
| Delta | JFK – Tel Aviv | Airbus A330neo | 7 | Recently resumed |
| Arkia (w/ GullivAir) | Tel Aviv – JFK | Airbus A330 | 5 | Direct service resumed |
| American Airlines | JFK – Tel Aviv | Boeing 777 | 7 (planned) | Yet to restart |
Arkia hopes to distinguish itself with lower fares and a fresher in-flight vibe, even if its aircraft aren’t its own.
Behind the Scenes: A Delicate Dance with Diplomacy
It wasn’t just crew logistics that made Larnaca necessary. Behind the scenes, Arkia’s operations during the war were closely coordinated with Israel’s Civil Aviation Authority, the IDF, and airspace regulators in Europe.
Security threats weren’t hypothetical. Several civilian flights were forced to divert amid regional missile launches in early June.
Since the ceasefire—brokered in part by Egypt and Qatar—airlines have slowly tiptoed back.
Still, officials remain wary.
“There’s relief, but not relaxation,” said a former aviation security officer now consulting for an EU airline. “Everyone’s watching to see if the next flare-up comes before the tourist season ends.”
Symbolism in the Skies
For Arkia, resuming direct service isn’t just about business. It’s symbolic.
Every uninterrupted flight between Tel Aviv and JFK is, in a way, a signal—to investors, to citizens, and to the world—that Israel is open, mobile, and still connected.
That messaging matters.
The Israel Tourism Ministry said international arrivals in June were down over 40% year-on-year. Restoring airline routes is seen as critical to reversing that slump.
One sentence again, but it says plenty: Arkia’s booking site now shows JFK as a nonstop destination.
What’s Next for Arkia?
Arkia’s ambitions aren’t limited to JFK. The airline is reportedly eyeing routes to Canada and revisiting talks with Miami International Airport. That could mean more wide-body leases—or even buying long-haul aircraft outright.
Still, plenty hinges on stability. The ceasefire holds, but everyone’s got one eye on Tehran, and the other on Gaza.
For now, Arkia’s bet is simple: that passengers are willing to board again, and that the skies will stay just quiet enough for them to keep flying straight.
