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Arkia[a] (stylized as arkia), legally incorporated as Arkia Israeli Airlines Ltd, is an Israeli airline. Its head office is on the grounds of Sde Dov Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel.[3] It is Israel's second largest airline,[4] operating scheduled domestic and international services, as well as charter flights to destinations in Western Europe and across the Mediterranean. Its main base is Ben Gurion Airport, with a hub at the Ramon Airport.[5]

Key Information

As of 2020, there are 420 employees employed at Arkia.[6][failed verification]

History

[edit]
Arkia operated the first Israeli civilian helicopter service in October 1959.
Eleanor Roosevelt arriving for a visit in Eilat on an Arkia airplane on March 26, 1959

Foundation and early years

[edit]

Arkia was founded in 1949 as Israel Inland Airlines when it became clear that there was demand for a local airline to connect Tel Aviv with different regions of the then-new state of Israel, especially with Eilat, Israel's important seaport situated on the Gulf of Aqaba.[7] Flights commenced in 1950 with De Havilland DH.89 aircraft, followed by Douglas DC-3s, to inter-connect major towns in Israel from Rosh Pinna in the North to the port of Eilat in the South.[7] El Al held a 50% stake in the airline at this time with the Histadrut, Israel's labour federation, being the other shareholder.[citation needed] The airline later adopted the name Eilata Airlines - Aviron, and Arkia Israel Airlines.[citation needed] In its first year of service, Israel Inland Airlines carried 13,485 passengers, using a Curtis Commando.[7]

During the 1950s, the airline continued to grow, upgrading its fleet to the larger DC-3, and operating two flights a day on the Tel Aviv-Eilat route.[7] This allowed Arkia to have annual passenger figures of over 70,000.[7] As Eilat continued to grow during the 1960s, so did the airline, introducing the Handley Page Dart Herald 200 turboprop aircraft to its fleet between 1967 and 1968, enabling Arkia to expand with new routes to Jerusalem, and Sharm-el-Sheikh.[7] A subsidiary, Kanaf Arkia Airline and Aviation Services, was founded when the airline acquired 50% of the stock of Kanaf Airlines and Aviation Services, and by the end of the 1960s, scheduled flights were in operation across Israel, from Rosh Pinna in the north, to Ofira in the south.[7]

Arkia Boeing 737-200 at Orly Airport, Paris, France, 1982

In March 1980, Kanaf Arkia acquired the remaining stock of Arkia and merged the two operators.[citation needed] The airline grew quickly during the 1980s, moving both into the international charter market and airline maintenance.

Development during the 2000s

[edit]

The airline is now owned by Kanaf-Arkia Airlines (70%) and airline employees (30%). In 2006, the Nakash brothers of Jordache Enterprises bought Knafaim's 70% share.[7]

In February 2007, the Israeli Tourism Ministry awarded Arkia a scheduled operator's licence for flights to Dublin, and Larnaca, a destination dropped by El Al.[8] In July 2007, it was announced that the airline planned to file for further scheduled carrier status on routes to New York City and Bangkok, currently served under charter status.[9] Furthermore, in early 2008, after the Israeli Tourism Ministry opened up the airline market, the airline applied for scheduled carrier status for routes to Barcelona, Berlin, Moscow, and Paris.[citation needed] The licence for Paris was granted in February 2008, and the airline announced that both economy and business class would be offered on this route. [citation needed] At this time, the airline also announced that it would add two Boeing 737 aircraft to its fleet within two years, as well as four Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft it had on order which were to be delivered in 2012.[10] The order for the 787 aircraft was moved to a leasing subsidiary owned by MG Aviation and leased to Norwegian Air Shuttle. The order was replaced with an order for four Airbus A330neo aircraft.[11]

In November 2018, Arkia became the launch customer of the Airbus A321LR when it received its first aircraft of the type.[12] In May 2024, Arkia announced it was wet-leasing a Boeing 737-700 from Ukrainian company SkyUp.[13]

In January 2025, Arkia announced it would begin direct flights between NYC and Tel Aviv starting on 8 February 2025 using Airbus A330-900 aircraft operated by Iberojet.[14][15]

In May 2025, Arkia announced it would begin a 2nd direct flight between NYC and Tel Aviv starting in June 2025 using Boeing 787-9 aircraft operated by Neos Air.[14][15]

Destinations

[edit]
Main article: List of Arkia destinations

Fleet

[edit]
Arkia Airbus A321LR
Arkia Embraer E195
A former Arkia ATR 72-500 in an earlier livery

Current fleet

[edit]

As of August 2025, Arkia operates the following aircraft:[16]

Aircraft In service Orders Passengers Notes
Airbus A320-200 1 — 180 [17]
Airbus A321LR 2 — 219 Launch customer.[18][19]
Embraer E195 3 — 122
Total 6 —

Historic fleet

[edit]

Arkia Israel Airlines has also operated the following aircraft:[20]

Aircraft Introduced Retired Notes
ATR 72-500 1998 2017
Boeing 737-200 1982 2000
Boeing 757-200 1993 2007
Boeing 757-300 2000 2019[citation needed]
Curtiss C-46 Commando 1950 Unknown
de Havilland Canada Dash 7 Unknown Unknown
Douglas DC-3 1955 Unknown
Embraer 190 Unknown Unknown
Handley Page Dart Herald 1964 Unknown
Vickers Viscount 1980 Unknown

Livery

[edit]

In May 2017, Arkia unveiled a new livery, ahead of the delivery of new aircraft, which consists of a lower-case 'a' on the vertical fin, which also features the striping effect and multicoloured stripes on the aft section and the winglets of each aircraft. The colour of the stripes and logo will vary between each aircraft.[21]

Incidents and accidents

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Arkia

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from Grokipedia
Arkia Israeli Airlines Ltd. is Israel's second-largest airline, founded in 1949 to provide domestic air services connecting to other regions of the country. Headquartered in with its primary hub at Ben Gurion International Airport, the carrier operates scheduled domestic flights, primarily to , alongside international and scheduled services to destinations across , the Mediterranean, and select long-haul routes. As of October 2025, Arkia serves 1 domestic and 33 international destinations in 23 countries, focusing on vacation packages, organized tours, and last-minute deals. Over its history, Arkia has grown from a small domestic operator using piston-engine to a mid-sized carrier with a modern fleet emphasizing efficiency and passenger comfort for holiday travel. It maintains a fleet of 10 , including A320-family jets and E-Jets, with an average age of 14 years, supporting both narrow-body short-haul and occasional wet-leased wide-body operations for extended routes. Notable expansions include the introduction of transatlantic services to New York in 2025, marking a shift toward long-haul markets amid competitive dynamics in Israel's sector. While primarily known for reliable connectivity, Arkia has faced typical operational challenges such as flight delays and technical issues, resolved through and passenger compensation where applicable.

History

Founding and early domestic focus (1949–1960s)

Arkia, initially named Israel Inland Airlines, was founded in late 1949 as a domestic carrier to connect with Israel's peripheral regions, particularly , amid growing demand for internal air travel following the state's establishment. The initiative stemmed from Transport Minister David Remez's decision to revive and expand services previously provided by the pre-state Aviron company, with ownership divided equally between Israel Airlines and the labor federation. Operations commenced with the inaugural scheduled flight from to on February 28, 1950, using a (registration 4X-ACT) transferred from and crewed by personnel. The early fleet comprised two de Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapides for shorter routes and two C-46 Commandos each seating 36 passengers, sourced from the . By the mid-1950s, aircraft supplemented the fleet, supporting up to two daily Tel Aviv-Eilat flights and extending services to northern destinations like Rosh Pina and . The airline's domestic emphasis facilitated transport of government officials, , and to underdeveloped areas, bolstering regional connectivity when road infrastructure was limited. In October 1959, Arkia pioneered Israel's first civilian helicopter operations, enhancing access to remote sites. That year, former U.S. First Lady arrived in via an Arkia flight, underscoring the carrier's role in notable domestic travel.

Expansion amid security challenges (1970s–1990s)

In March 1970, Arkia suspended mail flights to following consultations with Israeli internal security services, citing inadequate safety measures amid threats from cross-border attacks, highlighting early operational vulnerabilities on southern routes. This incident reflected broader aviation risks in during the 1970s, including the of 1973, which disrupted fuel supplies and regional airspace, yet Arkia maintained its core domestic network, primarily serving to with turboprop aircraft like the Herald and inherited from earlier decades. The airline's focus remained on short-haul domestic connectivity, carrying government officials, tourists, and settlers, while adapting to heightened security protocols that became standard for Israeli carriers amid rising activities and international hijacking attempts. Privatization in 1980 marked a pivotal shift, making Arkia the first state-owned Israeli company to transition to private hands under Knaf Arkia Airlines and employee ownership, ending chronic losses and enabling aggressive restructuring. This facilitated radical overhauls in fleet, management, and operations, including the introduction of STOL-capable aircraft such as Shorts Skyvans and de Havilland Canada Dash 7s for resilient domestic service on shorter runways amid ongoing security disruptions like the 1982 Lebanon War. By the mid-1980s, competition intensified with the entry of a rival domestic carrier in 1981, prompting Arkia to diversify into international charter flights to Western Europe, leveraging jets for longer routes despite airspace closures and terrorism risks during the First Intifada starting in 1987. In 1981, Arkia ordered two jet aircraft specifically for charter expansion, with deliveries commencing in June 1982, signaling a move toward jet-powered international operations. ![Arkia Boeing 737-200][float-right] By 1989, these efforts yielded substantial growth, with Arkia transporting approximately 420,000 passengers on domestic flights and 100,000 on international charters, underscoring successful adaptation to a volatile environment. The airline also ventured into maintenance services, bolstering revenue streams independent of flight operations strained by periodic security alerts and economic pressures from regional conflicts. Throughout the 1990s, Arkia sustained this trajectory, incorporating Boeing 737-200 jets into its fleet for efficient charter and domestic augmentation, while Israeli aviation's rigorous security—shaped by events like the 1976 Entebbe hijacking—remained a core operational constraint, though no major Arkia-specific incidents were recorded in this era. This period of modernization positioned Arkia as Israel's secondary carrier, balancing expansion with the imperatives of national defense priorities.

Commercial modernization and international growth (2000s)

In the early 2000s, Arkia pursued fleet modernization by introducing the , with its first aircraft delivered in February 2000. This stretched variant of the 757 series offered higher capacity and efficiency compared to Arkia's aging jets, which were phased out by the end of 2000. The new aircraft enabled expanded international charter operations, including increased frequencies to destinations in , , , , , and other European countries, supporting leisure travel demand from Israel's growing tourism sector. Ownership transitioned in March 2006 when the Nakash brothers, through their Enterprises affiliate, acquired a 70% controlling stake in Arkia's parent company from the previous Borovich family interests, marking a shift toward private investment focused on commercial expansion. This acquisition injected capital and a renewed strategic vision, emphasizing modernization of operations and route development beyond traditional domestic and ad-hoc charters. Under the new ownership, Arkia achieved a milestone in international growth in 2007 when Israel's Transportation Minister granted the airline its first scheduled operator licenses for routes to , , and , —filling gaps left by El Al's service reductions. These approvals represented Arkia's pivot from primarily charter-based international services to regular scheduled flights, enhancing reliability for passengers and positioning the carrier as a competitor in short-haul European markets amid rising outbound tourism from . By the end of the decade, these developments had solidified Arkia's role in leisure-oriented international connectivity, with the fleet supporting up to dozens of weekly flights across its network.

Fleet renewal and market adaptation (2010s)

In the , Arkia initiated a strategic fleet modernization program to replace its aging Boeing narrow-body and with more fuel-efficient models, aiming to reduce operating costs amid intensifying competition from low-cost carriers and liberalized bilateral air service agreements. The airline phased out its Boeing 757-300 fleet by 2019, which had been in service since the early for medium-haul routes, as these older jets became less economical due to higher fuel consumption and maintenance demands. This shift addressed the challenges of a domestic market experiencing turbulence, including financial pressures reported in 2012 from employee-management disputes and rising fuel prices. Key to this renewal was Arkia's pivot to , beginning with a July 2012 order for four A321neo powered by LEAP-1A engines, valued at approximately $400 million. Deliveries commenced in late , with the first A321LR variant—capable of up to 4,000 nautical miles range—entering commercial service on December 9, , from to destinations like and , making Arkia the launch operator for this long-range narrow-body configuration. In July 2016, the airline further committed to four A330-900neo wide-bodies, valued at $1.15 billion at list prices, to bolster capacity for transatlantic and extended European leisure flights, though initial deliveries were deferred into the 2020s. These acquisitions, supported by a 2017 engine maintenance agreement with for the LEAP-1A worth $200 million over 15 years, emphasized lower emissions and operational reliability. Complementing narrow-body upgrades, Arkia incorporated E-Jets (E190/195) into its fleet around for regional and domestic operations, enhancing flexibility on shorter routes to and Greek islands amid booming Israeli outbound . This adaptation aligned with market dynamics, including expanded "open skies" pacts that increased seat capacity to by 5% annually through 2013, pressuring legacy carriers to differentiate via leisure-focused charters and seasonal schedules to . By prioritizing high-density, point-to-point vacation services over El Al's hub-and-spoke model, Arkia captured demand from price-sensitive travelers, though it navigated security-driven route suspensions, such as to in 2014. The renewed fleet supported a emphasizing modern amenities, positioning Arkia as a nimble second-tier player in Israel's privatized sector.

Resilience during crises (2020–present)

During the , Arkia suspended most operations for several months in 2020, a strategic decision by its owners to minimize costs amid global travel restrictions and border closures that grounded much of Israel's aviation sector. This approach contrasted with competitors like and , which sought prolonged government support while maintaining limited services; Arkia's shutdown preserved but relied on subsequent state aid packages totaling up to $85 million across Israeli carriers, including three-year bonds without interest accrual approved in January 2022. Arkia secured state-backed loans from commercial banks at a 75% level by mid-2020, enabling survival through 2021's Delta variant resurgence, which prompted an additional $44 million in cabinet-approved aid. Recovery accelerated post-vaccination rollout, with Arkia resuming domestic and select international routes by late 2021, benefiting from pent-up domestic demand in where inflows remained suppressed. By 2024, Israeli airlines including Arkia carried 9.1 million passengers, a 25% increase from prior years, reflecting broader sector rebound amid reduced foreign competition. Operations adapted to heightened protocols, such as mandatory testing and capacity limits, which Arkia implemented alongside fleet to avoid during idle periods. The October 7, 2023, onset of the Israel-Hamas war exacerbated airspace risks from rocket fire and regional tensions, yet Arkia demonstrated operational continuity by flights amid intercepted barrages and temporarily relocating during acute threats, such as in July 2022 pre-war escalations. Foreign carriers' widespread suspensions created opportunities; by mid-2024, Arkia, , and collectively doubled their market share to over 70% of Israel-bound capacity, as international airlines cut routes due to security insurance premiums and crew reluctance. This shift enabled fare hikes—credit card spending on Israeli airline tickets reached a record $145.7 million in May 2025 amid Houthi threats—bolstering revenues despite sporadic cancellations, like the full halt from June 13-30, 2025, followed by non-refundable rescue flights for stranded citizens. Arkia's resilience extended to strategic expansion, announcing Tel Aviv-New York flights starting February 8, 2025, leveraging high-tech sector demand and reduced competition to challenge El Al's transatlantic dominance, with preliminary talks for further North American routes by November 2024. These moves, supported by Israel's partial reopenings post-cease-fires, underscore adaptation to persistent geopolitical volatility through domestic focus, government-backed financing, and opportunistic capacity growth.

Operations

Destinations and route network

Arkia operates a route network centered on (TLV) near , with supplementary services from other Israeli airports, emphasizing domestic connectivity and international leisure travel. The airline's domestic operations focus on high-demand routes within , including frequent flights from TLV to (ETM) in , as well as services to Uri Michaeli Haifa International Airport (HFA) and Rosh Pina Airport (RPN), supporting to southern resort areas and northern regions. These routes typically utilize for short-haul efficiency. Internationally, Arkia serves 33 destinations across 23 countries as of October 2025, with a emphasis on seasonal scheduled and charter flights to European vacation spots, supplemented by routes to the , , and . Primary European hubs include (ATH), Barcelona (BCN), Milan (MXP), Paris (CDG), Rome (FCO), and London Stansted (STN), alongside Cyprus (Larnaca LCA and Paphos PFO), Georgia (Tbilisi TBS), and others like (MUC) and (AMS). Middle Eastern services feature (DXB), while North American operations include seasonal flights to New York (JFK). For the 2025–2026 winter season, Arkia plans over 250 weekly flights to 25 destinations, incorporating expansions such as resumed service to (LIS) starting October 27, 2025, (BKK) from November 26, 2025, and a new route to (HAN) in 2026. These additions target cost-competitive long-haul leisure demand, with fares positioned lower than competitors on select routes. The network's flexibility reflects adaptations to geopolitical constraints, prioritizing direct connections from TLV to minimize layovers for Israeli passengers.

Business model and market position

Arkia operates as Israel's second-largest , focusing on a hybrid model that combines scheduled domestic flights, primarily to leisure destinations like , with international and scheduled services to , the Mediterranean, and emerging long-haul routes such as New York. This structure emphasizes flexibility through wet-leasing aircraft to scale capacity seasonally or during peak demand, as evidenced by agreements for A320s, A321s, and widebodies like the and A330-200 for routes to the and . Revenue streams derive mainly from passenger ticket sales across these operations, supplemented by ancillary services and a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) division serving its fleet, other carriers, and the . In the domestic market, Arkia maintains a dominant niche, holding approximately 70% share on the Tel Aviv-Eilat route before the 2019 closure of , and contributing to a combined 61% for domestic carriers like Arkia and amid reduced foreign airline presence during the 2023-2025 Gaza conflict. Internationally, its position is smaller, with a scheduled seat share of about 6.2% at Tel Aviv's in 2024, trailing El Al's dominance but targeting underserved leisure segments through charters and codeshares. This leisure-oriented strategy, bolstered by recent expansions like daily New York flights starting February 2025 using leased widebodies, positions Arkia to erode El Al's near-monopoly on key routes while navigating geopolitical disruptions via adaptive leasing and cost controls.

Fleet

Current fleet

As of October 2025, Arkia operates a fleet primarily composed of narrow-body aircraft and regional jets suited for domestic Israeli routes and short- to medium-haul international flights to and nearby destinations. The airline supplements this with wet-leased , such as the A330-200, for long-haul operations including transatlantic services to New York. This hybrid model allows flexibility amid fluctuating demand and geopolitical constraints affecting Israel's aviation sector, with wet-leases sourced from operators like Hi Fly and GullivAir. The carrier's in-service fleet totals nine , with an age of 14.1 years, reflecting a mix of modern efficient types like the A321neo and older A320s. One E190 remains parked, and Arkia has one A320-200 on order to support ongoing domestic and charter operations. Efforts to transition to an all- fleet by late , including the potential sale of jets, are underway but not yet complete as of this date.
Aircraft typeIn serviceParkedOn orderAverage age (years)Notes
Airbus A320-20040118.6Primarily for domestic and short-haul; some may be wet-leased.
2006.9Long-range variants (A321-200NX/LR) for extended European and potential transatlantic backup.
Airbus A330-20010017.5Wet-leased for New York and routes.
Embraer E19021011.6Regional jets focused on high-frequency domestic services to .

Historical fleet

Arkia's historical fleet commenced with piston-engine aircraft shortly after its founding in 1949. The airline initially acquired two surplus Dakotas from the in the early 1950s, utilizing them for key domestic routes including twice-daily Tel Aviv- services. These aircraft, seating 32 passengers, represented an upgrade from smaller initial types and were loaned back to military operations during conflicts like the 1956 Sinai Campaign before returning to civilian use. By the 1960s, Arkia shifted to aircraft to enhance capacity and efficiency on short domestic sectors. The fleet included five Handley Page Dart Heralds, optimized for regional operations, and three Viscounts, introduced around 1967 for improved speed and passenger comfort. These types supported growing demand, with the Viscounts handling up to 40-50 passengers until phased out in the 1970s amid jet introductions. The 1970s and marked Arkia's entry into jet operations, starting with two BAC 1-11 Series 500s for medium-haul charters. Domestic focus persisted with the acquisition of 13 DHC-7 Dash 7s beginning in 1981, prized for short takeoff and landing capabilities on Israel's austere airstrips. Jet expansion included seven 737-200s from 1982, enabling international charters until their retirement around 2000. In the , Arkia adopted wide-body and stretched narrow-body jets for long-haul growth. Three 757-200s entered service in 1993, followed by two 757-300s in 2000, supporting leisure routes to ; these were retired by 2007 and 2019, respectively. Two 767-300s and three A320-200s supplemented the fleet for high-capacity charters before eventual phase-out. Regional jets like three ERJ-190s operated briefly in the , while one DHC-6 Twin Otter and an served niche roles. Additionally, ATR 72-500s flew from 1998 to 2017 for prop-based domestic efficiency.
Aircraft TypeNumber OperatedPrimary Era
21950s
Handley Page Herald51960s–1970s
31960s–1970s
DHC-7131980s–1990s
737-20071982–2000
757-200/30051993–2019
767-30021990s–2000s
A320-20032000s
ERJ-19032010s
ATR 72-500Unspecified1998–2017

Livery and aircraft branding

Arkia's early liveries emphasized a simple of pale blue with orange accents, which was applied to its fleet including 737-200s and other through the 2000s and early 2010s. In May 2017, the airline unveiled a redesigned to align with its fleet modernization, replacing the prior scheme with a dynamic pattern featuring a stylized lowercase "a" on the and multi-colored stripes extending along the aft and winglets. The design, created by the Baruch Nae agency, incorporates varying color compositions across individual for visual distinction while maintaining brand consistency. This livery has been applied to new deliveries such as the A321LR, for which Arkia served as the launch customer, and to regional jets like the 195. Leased , including the A330-200 operated by HiFly for routes to New York and , receive full external repainting in the updated scheme, complete with Arkia branding despite third-party operation. Hybrid applications appear on some wet-leased jets, such as those from Neos, blending operator and Arkia elements. The change supported expanded long-haul operations and refreshed the airline's identity amid competitive pressures in Israel's leisure market.

Safety, Security, and Incidents

Security protocols and national context

Arkia's security protocols operate within Israel's national aviation framework, which has evolved in response to decades of targeted terrorist threats against Israeli carriers and passengers, including hijackings by Palestinian groups in the 1960s–1970s and ongoing attacks by organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah. These threats, rooted in ideological opposition to Israel's existence rather than isolated criminal acts, have necessitated a proactive, intelligence-driven approach prioritizing prevention over reaction, contrasting with reactive models in less-threatened nations. The Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI), under the Ministry of Transport, enforces standards emphasizing layered defenses: pre-flight intelligence vetting, behavioral profiling, and mandatory screenings, with all Israeli airlines, including Arkia, required to integrate these into operations. For Arkia flights, passengers undergo rigorous security checks at and other Israeli facilities, including physical inspections of luggage and persons, even after online , as mandated by national regulations that prohibit bypassing screenings. Behavioral by trained personnel identifies anomalies based on empirical risk indicators, such as inconsistent travel narratives or suspicious demeanor, informed by Israel's domestic intelligence apparatus like , which issues binding directives—such as temporary bans on landings at high-risk sites like Paphos, , in January 2025 due to assessed threats. International departures on Arkia charters trigger enhanced protocols at origin airports, where Israeli security teams often conduct pre-boarding interviews and scans to mitigate risks from hostile environments, reflecting the carrier's exposure as a despite its focus on routes. In the broader national context, these measures incur elevated costs—exemplified by Arkia's 40% reduction in routes in March 2025 amid surging security expenses during heightened conflict—and enable operational resilience, such as rapid airspace closures under protocols during events like the October 2023 attacks or June 2025 escalations. Unlike state-subsidized flag carriers like , Arkia's private status demands cost-conscious adaptation, yet compliance with and CAAI oversight ensures alignment with Israel's zero-tolerance for vulnerabilities, yielding no successful hijackings or onboard attacks on its flights since in 1950. This system, while criticized abroad for perceived intrusiveness, derives efficacy from causal linkages between threat intelligence and interdiction, as evidenced by thwarted plots against Israeli .

Major incidents and accidents

On May 2, 1976, a Kanaf-Arkia Airlines Piper PA-31-350 Chieftain operated on behalf of Arkia crash-landed on a road north of after an in-flight issue, injuring seven people including one seriously; no fatalities occurred. On November 28, 2002, Arkia Flight 582, a 757-300 departing , , for , was targeted by two surface-to-air missiles shortly after takeoff, missing the aircraft by a in an attack linked to militants; the plane sustained no damage and continued safely to . On February 14, 2007, an Arkia passenger nearly collided mid-air with an F-16 fighter jet over Israeli airspace, passing within 150 meters due to a flight path crossing; both aircraft landed without incident. On August 11, 2025, Arkia Flight IZ076, an A320 from , , to , experienced a malfunction, leading to multiple approach attempts with visible sparks from the front gear before a safe emergency landing at ; no injuries were reported. Arkia Israel Airlines has recorded no fatal accidents or hull-loss events in its operational history.

Geopolitical responses and operational continuity

During the -Hamas conflict that began on , 2023, Arkia maintained flight operations to and from while nearly all foreign carriers suspended services due to security concerns, alongside fellow Israeli airlines and , resulting in the trio nearly doubling their collective in the Israeli sector. This operational persistence filled a critical gap left by international airlines, enabling of stranded Israelis and sustaining connectivity amid widespread restrictions imposed by carriers citing risks from regional hostilities. In response to heightened geopolitical risks, including missile threats and insurance challenges, the Israeli government approved state guarantees in June 2025 to ensure the financial and operational continuity of domestic airlines like Arkia, addressing elevated war risk premiums and potential coverage gaps from global reinsurers wary of volatility. Arkia adapted by prioritizing domestic routes and select long-haul services, such as initiating Tel Aviv-New York JFK flights in 2025—when foreign competition was minimal—and seeking extensions through October 2026 to maintain transatlantic links. However, during acute escalations, such as Iranian proxy threats in June 2025, Arkia suspended all international flights from June 13 to June 30, alongside Eilat domestic services, resuming only after security clearances allowed. This pattern of resilience contributed to record revenues for Israeli carriers, with credit card spending on Arkia and peers reaching $145.7 million in May 2025 alone, driven by domestic demand and outbound travel amid foreign airlines' prolonged absences, though it drew scrutiny for elevated fares during shortages. Arkia's continuity efforts, bolstered by national security protocols and adaptive routing to evade hostile airspace, underscored its role in preserving Israel's air links despite ongoing conflicts, even as post-ceasefire dynamics in late 2025 saw gradual foreign returns eroding the monopoly-like conditions.

Controversies

In 2022, Arkia faced class-action lawsuits alongside for allegedly overcharging passengers on fees not permitted under , with claims seeking compensation equivalent to millions of dollars for violations of regulations. A 2017 lawsuit was filed by three Arab-Israeli women against Arkia and , alleging and invasive strip searches at security checkpoints, which the plaintiffs claimed constituted and humiliation without sufficient justification. In , an Israeli court ordered Arkia to compensate a couple for a delayed Tel Aviv-Amsterdam flight that resulted in missed connections and extended travel disruptions, ruling that the airline's explanations did not fully exempt it from liability under passenger rights regulations. Arkia encountered an internal legal challenge in January 2025 when its former CEO filed a lawsuit claiming unfair dismissal, seeking redress for alleged wrongful termination practices within the company. During the Israel-Iran conflict in June 2025, Arkia and Air Haifa became targets of a class-action suit for purportedly violating the Aviation Services Law by limiting options for passengers with canceled flights to refunds only, rather than providing alternatives or full compensation, amid accusations of exploiting the crisis. Regulatory hurdles for Arkia have primarily involved compliance with Israel's authority on route expansions and operational subsidies, such as in August 2025 when the airline proposed an alternative to government (PSO) contracts for routes, aiming to avoid state-mandated controls that could limit profitability.

Criticisms of pricing and service during conflicts

During the June 2025 escalation between and , which led to widespread flight cancellations due to closures, was accused of inadequate service to affected passengers. The suspended all international and most domestic flights from June 13 to June 30, 2025, leaving thousands stranded. A lawsuit filed against and Air alleged that the carriers offered canceled passengers only full refunds while failing to disclose or provide rebooking options on available alternative flights, effectively pushing customers toward more expensive last-minute purchases from remaining operators. Knesset Economic Affairs Committee Chairman MK David Bitan publicly rebuked Arkia and on June 23, 2025, for imposing sharp price increases on repatriation flights for stranded abroad amid the conflict, describing the hikes as exploitative given the airlines' near-monopoly on remaining capacity. This followed broader complaints that Israeli carriers, including Arkia, prioritized revenue over accessibility, with some one-way return fares exceeding typical wartime premiums. In the context of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war initiated by the October 7, 2023, attacks, Arkia faced similar scrutiny for pricing practices as foreign airlines repeatedly suspended services to , ceding market share to domestic operators. With reduced supply and heightened demand for evacuation and family reconnection flights, Arkia raised fares by approximately 15% above pre-war levels by mid-2024, according to company statements, amid reports of Israeli airlines leveraging their dominance to impose high prices and frequent overbookings that disrupted travel plans. Service disruptions compounded issues, as Arkia occasionally canceled routes due to security risks or pilot shortages, offering limited alternatives beyond refunds in a market where rebooking often meant paying 2-3 times the original cost.

References

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