Israir plans New York flights by October

Israir, Israel's second-largest airline, announced plans to launch nonstop flights to New York by October 19, pending FAA approval, with tickets going on sale next week. This move comes as direct U.S.-Israel service is currently limited to Israeli carriers after major American airlines suspended flights due to the war with Iran, leading to high airfares. Israir expects to operate daily flights to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, offering economy, premium, and business fares. Travel consultants anticipate that Israir's entry into this competitive route will positively impact pricing and availability for consumers. Yoni Waxman, deputy chairman of Israel’s Ophir Tours, stated, “We anticipate that as the supply of direct flights to New York grows, we will see a positive impact on pricing and availability.” Mark Feldman, CEO of Ziontours, added, “If Israir wants to gain market share, they will need to aggressively market - and not match - El Al prices.”