Israeli airline Israir has received official approval from the US Department of Transportation to operate direct flights to the United States, the company announced on Monday. This approval marks a significant milestone in Israir's path toward launching direct flights to the US and expanding options for Israeli travelers. The authorization is temporary, valid for two years.
With this initial approval secured, Israir can now proceed to the next regulatory phase – meeting all requirements set by the Federal Aviation Administration and Transportation Security Administration. According to company estimates, final approval is expected by June 2025, aligning with the timeline Israir presented to its board of directors.
As previously reported in Israel Hayom, Israir has confirmed plans to operate direct flights to New York around Passover 2026. While no official announcement about the New York route has been made yet, this approval brings the airline significantly closer to launching flights to the Big Apple.
In its statement, Israir added, "The company is working diligently to obtain full regulatory approvals in order to offer its customers an authentic Israeli flight experience on Airbus 330 aircraft, which Israir's air and maintenance crews will operate on the Tel Aviv-New York route."
The expansion into the lucrative US market represents a major strategic development for Israir, potentially creating more competition on routes currently dominated by El Al and major American carriers.
