Israeli airline Arkia announced Tuesday that it is adding a wide-body Airbus A330-200 operated by Bulgarian carrier Gallivair during the summer months and the holiday season.
The flights will be operated under a "wet lease" arrangement, using foreign crews with Arkia representatives onboard. "The aircraft will join our operations starting June 11 and will primarily serve as a backup to ensure operational stability and meet the high demand during the summer," Arkia said in a statement.
"Additionally, it will operate a limited number of scheduled flights, including a fourth weekly frequency on the Tel Aviv–New York route, departing Israel on Thursdays and returning from New York on Saturday nights."
Arkia CEO Oz Berlovich said the new aircraft is a significant reinforcement for the company's fleet and will help ensure high standards of service and schedule reliability. "This July and August alone, we will carry more than half a million passengers – a historic record for Arkia," said Berlovich. "We’re responding to public demand by adding another wide-body aircraft."
Arkia currently operates a fleet of six aircraft tailored to various destinations and needs. This includes three Embraer E-195 jets with 122 seats each, used for both scheduled and charter flights to Europe, as well as for business and special-purpose flights within Israel and abroad. The fleet also includes one Embraer E-190 with 110 seats for both domestic and international routes. In addition, the airline operates two advanced Airbus A321neo LR aircraft with 214 seats each, used for scheduled, charter, and business flights to Europe and the Far East, as well as for special missions.
Coming soon: A new Israeli airline
Israel’s aviation industry is buzzing with activity. On Sunday, it was reported that the path has been cleared for the establishment of a new Israeli airline. Cypriot and Greek carriers TUS Airways and Blue Bird—both under Israeli ownership via travel company Holiday Lines—have passed the first regulatory hurdle toward obtaining an operational license that would allow them to launch a new Israeli carrier named "TUS IL."
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Once all approvals are secured, TUS IL will be authorized to operate flights to a range of destinations beyond Europe. The combined fleet of TUS and Blue Bird currently includes 10 aircraft, three of which are under wet lease agreements. TUS IL CEO Nir Dagan, formerly CEO of Arkia, told Ynet that the new airline will operate four Airbus A320 aircraft.
“The major task right now is building everything according to Israeli aviation regulations,” Dagan said. “It depends on the pace of progress with the Civil Aviation Authority, but we’re hopeful things will move quickly. Our goal is to be ready by the first quarter of 2026 and start flying in the second quarter.”