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Israir Airlines Ltd., more commonly referred to as Israir, is an Israeli low-cost airline headquartered in Tel Aviv.[1] It operates domestic scheduled and air taxi flights from Ben Gurion International Airport, Ramon Airport, and Haifa Airport as well as scheduled and charter international services from Ben Gurion International Airport to Europe and Asia.[2] It also operates VIP flights, and is Israel's second-largest airline after El Al, surpassing Arkia Israel Airlines during the Coronavirus pandemic, employing some 350 staff.[2][3]

Key Information

History

[edit]

Foundation and early years

[edit]
Israir A320-200

Israir Airlines was established in 1989 as Kanfei HaEmek (Valley Wings) before changing its name to Israir Airlines in 1996. It is now wholly owned by the Rami Levi Group. The airline began with domestic services from Eilat Airport, Ben Gurion International Airport, Sde Dov Airport, and Haifa Airport in the north of the country. It expanded its operations to begin international charter flights in 1999, building up a route network that now covers much of Europe, as well as regularly flying to other destinations in Asia, Africa, and North America. The airline is said to have modeled itself on US low-cost carrier JetBlue.[4]

The airline expanded operations across the Atlantic Ocean when regular charter service to New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport was started in June 2004.[citation needed] Permission was granted to the airline to convert this to regular scheduled service by the Israeli government and the FAA on May 1, 2006.[5] This service was discontinued in September 2008, due to escalating fuel prices and the expectation of a drop in the number of passengers due to the weakness of the dollar at the time.[6] After Israir was granted permission to operate scheduled service on the lucrative New York-Tel Aviv route, it also entered talks with both Boeing and Airbus regarding the acquisition of new aircraft to its fleet and replacement of its existing jets.[citation needed] The company was said to be in talks with Airbus over the A350 model.[citation needed] It also signed a deal to acquire Airbus A320 aircraft.[7] This was a significant milestone in Israeli aviation, as no airline had ever before purchased Airbus aircraft.[8] In April 2008, the airline received an Airbus A330 for its New York flights to replace the Boeing 767 aircraft it had previously been wet-leasing.[9] Israir however meanwhile no longer flies to New York and has since phased out all long-haul aircraft.

In early 2007, the airline announced plans to introduce Sky-Torah scrolls on each of its aircraft.[10] These were effectively Torah scrolls which would be carried on board its flight for Jewish passengers to use for prayer. This is a first for any Israeli airline and was seen by many as a means to attract many Haredi passengers to the airline at a time when they were showing great dissatisfaction with arch-rival, El Al, following their flying of aircraft on the Shabbat.[11] Later on in 2007, an Israir passenger announced he was filing a lawsuit against the airline for misadvertising the legroom they offered on their aircraft.[12]

In early 2008, when restrictions were lifted on Israeli airlines' destinations, Israir applied for designated carrier status on routes from Israel to London, Paris, Berlin, Moscow, Amsterdam, Rome, Budapest, Las Vegas, and Miami – some of which were destinations served by the airline as charter routes back then.[13]

Developments since 2010

[edit]
A former Israir ATR 72-200 in 2014.

Israir received the first of the two ATR 72 aircraft it had on order in early July 2011 to replace the ATR 42, with the second one expected to follow later that month.[14] In 2014, the airline posted losses of 18.4 million shekel.[15] On 25 May 2015, an Israir Airbus A320-200 has been seized by Portuguese authorities while in Lisbon over unpaid debts to Portuguese airline euroAtlantic Airways for a leasing contract in 2008.[15][16] Also in May 2015, El Al confirmed it was in talks to merge its subsidiary Sun D'Or into Israir. While Sun D'Or would be dissolved, El Al would gain shares in Israir instead.[17]

In October 2020, it was announced that the company is being auctioned off, the bids need to be submitted by November 8. On October 4, the first bid was submitted by Rami Levy and Shalom Haim through BGI Investments.[18][19] On October 13, Dubai-based NY Koen Group, headed by Naum Koen, has announced its intention to participate in the auction.[20][21][22]

Destinations

[edit]
Country City Airport Notes Refs
Albania Tirana Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza [23]
Armenia Yerevan Zvartnots International Airport Terminated [24]
Austria Salzburg Salzburg Airport W. A. Mozart [23]
Azerbaijan Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport [25]
Bulgaria Burgas Burgas Airport Seasonal
Plovdiv Plovdiv Airport Seasonal charter [26]
Sofia Vasil Levski Sofia Airport [27]
Varna Varna Airport Seasonal charter [28][23]
Croatia Split Split Saint Jerome Airport Terminated [29]
Cyprus Larnaca Larnaca International Airport [30][31]
Paphos Paphos International Airport [23]
Czech Republic Prague Václav Havel Airport Prague [23][32]
Egypt Sharm El Sheikh Sharm El Sheikh International Airport Terminated [33]
Finland Rovaniemi Rovaniemi Airport Resumes 31 January 2026 [34][35]
France Grenoble Alpes–Isère Airport Seasonal [31]
Nice Nice Côte d'Azur Airport Terminated [36]
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport Begins 3 December 2025 [37][38]
Georgia Batumi Alexander Kartveli Batumi International Airport [23][32]
Tbilisi Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport [31]
Germany Berlin Berlin Brandenburg Airport [32][31]
Leipzig Leipzig/Halle Airport Terminated [39]
Stuttgart Stuttgart Airport Seasonal [40]
Greece Athens Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos [32][31]
Chania Chania International Airport "Daskalogiannis" Seasonal [23]
Corfu Corfu International Airport "Ioannis Kapodistrias" Seasonal [23]
Rhodes Rhodes International Airport "Diagoras" Seasonal [23]
Thessaloniki Thessaloniki Airport "Makedonia" [41]
Thira Santorini International Airport Seasonal [23]
Hungary Budapest Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport [31][32]
Debrecen Debrecen International Airport Terminated [42]
Iceland Reykjavík Keflavík International Airport Terminated [43]
Italy Bergamo Orio al Serio International Airport Terminated [44]
Catania Catania–Fontanarossa Airport Seasonal [45]
Milan Milan Malpensa Airport [46]
Naples Naples-Capodichino International Airport Seasonal [27][23]
Olbia Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport Seasonal
Rome Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport [23][32]
Verona Verona Villafranca Airport Seasonal [47]
Israel Eilat Eilat Airport Airport closed
Ramon Airport [48]
Haifa Uri Michaeli Haifa International Airport Terminated [30]
Tel Aviv David Ben Gurion International Airport Base
Sde Dov Airport Airport closed [49]
Lithuania Vilnius Vilnius Airport [50]
Moldova Chișinău Chișinău Eugen Doga International Airport Terminated [51]
Montenegro Tivat Tivat Airport Seasonal [23]
North Makedonia Skopje Skopje International Airport Terminated [29]
Norway Bergen Bergen Airport, Flesland Terminated [52]
Oslo Oslo Airport, Gardermoen Terminated [52]
Poland Warsaw Warsaw Chopin Airport Terminated [32][31]
Portugal Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport Terminated [53]
Romania Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport [31]
Serbia Belgrade Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport Terminated [54]
Spain Málaga Málaga–Costa del Sol Airport Seasonal [53]
Switzerland Basel EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg [50]
Tanzania Zanzibar Abeid Amani Karume International Airport Seasonal charter
Turkey Istanbul Istanbul Airport Terminated [55]
United Arab Emirates Dubai Dubai International Airport Terminated [56]
United Kingdom London Luton Airport [57]

Codeshare partners

[edit]

Israir has codeshare agreements with the following airlines:

Fleet

[edit]
A former Israir Airbus A330-200 in 2008.

As of August 2025, Israir operates the following aircraft:[59]

Israir Fleet
Aircraft In service Orders Passengers Notes
Airbus A320-200 8 168 - 180 Including 5 in ownership[60][61]
Total 8

Incidents and accidents

[edit]
  • In June 2001, one of Israir's ATR 42-320 aircraft was damaged beyond repair following a heavy landing at Ben Gurion Airport. Despite the aircraft being written off, no passengers were injured in this incident.[62]
  • On July 6, 2005 a fully loaded Israir 767 accidentally taxied onto an active runway at JFK, and a Douglas DC-8 cargo aircraft narrowly avoided collision by taking off at full throttle above them, with only 45 feet of clearance over the 767.[63]
  • In May 2007, an Israir aircraft on a test flight was almost shot down by Israeli F-16 jets after it entered a demarcation zone where airlines are expected to identify themselves.[64]
  • Later that month, on May 23, an Israir flight had to make an emergency landing following smoke build up in the cabin on approach at Berlin-Schönefeld International Airport. No one was injured in the incident.[65]
  • In July 2008, an Israir aircraft flew from Eilat Airport to Ben Gurion International Airport with a small hole in its frame. The hole was discovered by mechanics at Ben Gurion and there was an investigation as to whether or not Israir knew of the hole, which, as it turns out, was caused by Israir workers in Eilat when they crashed a mobile staircase into the aircraft's body. The plane was scheduled to fly to Italy from Tel Aviv, and at an altitude of over 10,000 meters, the plane would most likely have experienced a decompression.[66]
  • In January 2025, an Israir aircraft that was meant to fly from Tel Aviv to London declared an emergency and returned to Ben Gurion International Airport after flying in circles for three hours to burn fuel before landing.[67]

References

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

Israir

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Israir Airlines Ltd., commonly known as Israir, is an Israeli headquartered in that operates scheduled domestic flights within and international charter and scheduled services primarily to destinations in , the , and beyond. Founded in 1989 as Kanfei HaEmek (Emek Wings), the initially focused on domestic regional services using small aircraft before rebranding to Israir in 1996 and expanding into larger jet operations from Ben Gurion International Airport. It became a of the Rami Levy Group, a major Israeli supermarket chain, following a controlling stake acquisition in 2021, which has supported its growth amid competitive domestic and regional markets. As of November 2025, Israir serves 2 domestic destinations—such as and —and 42 international destinations across 23 countries, with a strong emphasis on leisure travel to Mediterranean hotspots like , , , and . The airline maintains a fleet of 8 , predominantly Airbus A320-200 narrow-body jets with an average age of 16.1 years, enabling efficient short- and medium-haul operations from its primary hub at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV). In recent years, Israir has pursued expansion, including approval for transatlantic routes such as New York–Tel Aviv and recognition as the fastest-growing airline in the by in 2025 for its rapid increase in regional connectivity. As Israel's third-largest carrier by fleet size, it plays a key role in the country's sector, complementing El Al and fellow low-cost operator with affordable fares and tourism packages.

History

Foundation and early years

Israir Airlines traces its origins to Kanfei HaEmek, a small regional carrier established in 1989 that operated domestic services within before being renamed Israir in September 1996 by a group of Israeli investors seeking to expand into scheduled low-cost operations. Headquartered and based at Ben Gurion International Airport in , the airline initially focused on leisure-oriented domestic routes, particularly the high-demand shuttle between and the resort city of , to capitalize on 's growing tourism market. The startup received regulatory approval from the and secured initial funding through private investment to lease its first aircraft, enabling the launch of scheduled services in late 1996. In its formative years, Israir emphasized a point-to-point low-cost model to compete with established carriers like and , rapidly scaling operations to offer multiple daily flights on key domestic routes by 1998. That year, the airline transported approximately 300,000 passengers on domestic services, reflecting strong early growth driven by affordable fares and efficient operations. By adopting this strategy, Israir solidified its position as a viable alternative in Israel's sector.

Developments in the 2000s

In the early , Israir expanded beyond its domestic low-cost roots by launching flights to various European destinations in 2000, building on its operations that had begun in March 1999 from and to , , and the Mediterranean region. This move marked the 's international debut, with over 239,000 passengers carried on international charters in 2001, including services to . By 2001, Israir had initiated scheduled services to in , further solidifying its presence in the regional leisure market. The airline's fleet grew to support this expansion, with the acquisition of 737-300 and 737-400 by 2002, enabling larger-capacity operations on both domestic and international routes. By 2005, Israir's fleet had reached five , reflecting steady operational growth despite challenges. However, the Second Intifada significantly impacted the airline, contributing to a broader decline in Israeli passenger numbers; for instance, tourist traffic at Israeli airports slumped by 48% in early 2001 compared to the previous year, with ongoing effects into 2002 leading to reduced activity for carriers like Israir. Israir positioned itself as a key player in Israel's leisure market, competing aggressively with established carriers and through competitive pricing and route diversification. The added scheduled and charter services to popular Greek and Italian destinations, enhancing its appeal to vacationers. In 2004, Israir benefited from the acquisition of routes previously operated by defunct competitors, allowing it to consolidate its network amid market consolidation. Regulatory developments also shaped the decade, particularly the 2007 U.S.- Open Skies Agreement, which indirectly affected Israeli carriers by increasing transatlantic competition and pressuring routes to , though Israel's own bilateral pacts with states began evolving toward greater . These changes encouraged Israir to refine its low-cost model, focusing on efficiency to maintain competitiveness in a more open market environment.

Developments since 2010

In the early , Israir focused on fleet modernization and route expansion to support growing domestic and regional demand. The airline received its first ATR 72-500 in July 2011, marking the start of a replacement program for older aircraft to enhance efficiency on short-haul domestic services. By mid-decade, Israir had integrated additional narrow-body jets, including A320s, to bolster capacity for leisure routes across and the Mediterranean. Passenger traffic at Israel's , where Israir operates a significant portion of its flights, surged 16% in 2018 to 20.2 million total passengers, reflecting broader industry growth that benefited low-cost carriers like Israir. In 2021, the Rami Levy Group acquired a controlling stake in Israir, making it a and supporting its growth amid competitive markets. The severely disrupted operations, with Israir suspending all international flights in March 2020 amid global travel restrictions and border closures imposed by . To mitigate financial strain, the Israeli government approved a comprehensive aid package in May 2021 totaling nearly NIS 750 million (approximately $230 million) for the aviation sector, including around $20 million in loans and commitments for Israir to support security-related flights over the following two decades. Resumption began gradually in 2021, starting with domestic services; in February, Israir launched pilot flights from Ben Gurion to exclusively for vaccinated or recovered passengers holding "green passports," prioritizing internal connectivity as international travel remained limited. By late 2021, select international routes restarted, such as to in July under normalized diplomatic ties. Post-pandemic recovery accelerated with expanded domestic operations at Haifa Airport, where Israir had begun services as early as 2019. Israir further diversified its European network, launching seasonal service to , , from starting June 28, 2024, operated weekly on Saturdays through late August to cater to leisure travelers. In April 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation granted tentative approval for Israir to resume transatlantic services, targeting New York with up to six weekly round-trips by 2026, aiming to introduce low-cost options on the high-demand route. By 2024, Israir achieved record performance amid industry rebound, carrying approximately 1.46 million passengers from Ben Gurion Airport—a 46% increase from 2023—while posting a net profit of $24 million, the strongest in its history under current leadership. To meet surging summer demand in 2025, the airline temporarily expanded its fleet with an additional Airbus A320-200 on wet-lease in August, supporting tourism recovery and new route capacities before returning to eight active aircraft by November. As of November 2025, passenger volumes were projected to reach around 2 million for the full year. Strategically, Israir maintains codeshare agreements with European partners like Smartwings to enhance connectivity on select routes.

Corporate affairs

Ownership and headquarters

Israir Airlines & Tourism Ltd. is headquartered in , , with its primary operational base at Ben Gurion International Airport, where it has been located since its rebranding and establishment as a major carrier in 1996. The airline also maintains operations at Haifa Airport for domestic flights, supporting its regional network. The company was founded in 1989 as Kanfei HaEmek Aviation Ltd. and renamed Israir Airlines in 1996, initially operating as a private entity focused on domestic routes. Ownership evolved through several phases: it was acquired by IDB Development Corporation's tourism arm in the early , making IDB Tourism the majority stakeholder. In 2017, Israel Airlines announced plans to acquire Israir through its Sun d'Or for approximately $24 million plus a 25% stake in the combined entity, but the deal was abandoned later that year due to regulatory and antitrust concerns. By 2020, amid financial challenges from the , bondholders gained control, leading to a court-supervised sale process. In 2022, BGI Investments Ltd., controlled by supermarket tycoon Rami Levy and partner Shalom Haim through their vehicle Shay Odem, acquired a 51% controlling stake, with the remainder held by public shareholders following an on the that raised about NIS 25 million ($7.3 million). Today, Israir operates as an independent and a of the Rami Levy Group through its controlling stake, emphasizing its position within 's and sector. As of 2025, Israir is led by CEO Uri Sirkis, who has overseen strategic expansions including international route growth and fleet modernization since joining the leadership team. The includes key figures with strong ties to the tourism industry, such as Chairman Mordechai Hazan and directors like Haim Shalom and Yitzhak Kialy, reflecting the company's integrated focus on and travel. Financially, Israir reported record revenues of $453.16 million for 2024, marking a 16.2% increase year-over-year, driven by post-pandemic recovery and expanded operations. The company employs approximately 841 staff as of late 2024, with a 20% increase that year primarily to support new and routes. Israir has no separate subsidiaries but operates an integrated tourism arm that offers package holidays, combining flights with accommodations to destinations in , , and beyond, as part of its core business segments in international and .

Business model and services

Israir operates as a , emphasizing point-to-point routes and a no-frills service model to keep base fares affordable for travelers. The airline focuses on domestic and short-haul international flights, with plans to extend this approach to long-haul routes such as Tel Aviv to New York starting in 2026. In line with its low-cost strategy, Israir employs an unbundled fare structure, where passengers pay extra for services not included in the base ticket price. is limited to personal items on many fares, with and trolleys incurring fees—such as $50 for the first checked suitcase (up to 23 kg) purchased in advance or approximately $100 at , and $25 for trolleys as of 2025. Meals are also available for purchase onboard, as the airline has shifted toward paid food services to further reduce core costs. This model was formally adopted in 2019 to enhance competitiveness. The airline offers seating exclusively across its network, with options for paid upgrades providing extra legroom on select flights. No dedicated premium or cabins are available, aligning with the focus on cost efficiency even for upcoming transatlantic services. Ancillary revenues form a key part of Israir's income, generated through fees for seat selection, baggage, and other add-ons like . The airline also leverages partnerships with hotels and tour operators to offer bundled packages, integrating flights with accommodations for additional streams. Israir maintains strict customer policies, including non-refundable fares and fees for changes or no-shows on many tickets, while it does not operate a formal . Fuel-efficient aircraft in its fleet support operational cost control without compromising service basics.

Destinations

Domestic destinations

Israir's domestic network centers on Ben Gurion International Airport as its primary hub in , with in serving as a key endpoint and Haifa Airport serving as a base for regional connectivity. The airline's core domestic route links to , offering multiple daily flights that constitute the bulk of its internal operations, with up to 19 direct services per week operated by Israir. This route supports efficient travel to Israel's southern resort area, utilizing the modern to streamline operations. Israir also provides seasonal flights from to , catering to northern Israel's business and leisure travelers during peak periods. These services leverage Airport's smaller scale for quicker turnaround times and reduced congestion compared to larger facilities. From , Israir operates domestic flights to and seasonal international services. By 2025, additional rivalry emerged with El Al's resumption of services after a decade-long absence, further diversifying options on this vital corridor. In 2024, Israir transported approximately 1.46 million passengers through , with domestic routes playing a foundational role in its low-cost model by prioritizing high-frequency, short-haul connectivity within .

International destinations

Israir's international operations center on leisure travel to , where the airline serves more than 30 destinations across the continent as part of its broader network spanning 42 international routes in 23 countries as of November 2025. Key European cities include Paris (Charles de Gaulle), Rome (), Larnaca in , , and , with the latter added as a seasonal service starting in June 2024 on a weekly basis during summer months. These routes cater primarily to vacationers, featuring A320 and A321 aircraft on short- to medium-haul flights from Tel Aviv's . Beyond Europe, Israir offers limited seasonal services to destinations in and Africa, such as Tbilisi in Georgia and Zanzibar in , often with 1-3 weekly frequencies to support holiday demand. The airline resumed operations to in 2025 following a pause related to regional conflicts. Charter flights supplement scheduled services during peak seasons like summer and holidays, enhancing connectivity for tour groups and individual leisure travelers. Looking ahead, Israir received U.S. approval in April 2025 to launch nonstop service to New York (JFK), planned to begin around 2026 using widebody aircraft with up to six weekly round trips. This marks the carrier's entry into long-haul transatlantic operations, aimed at increasing competition on the high-demand Israel-U.S. corridor. The airline's international expansion began in the early with initial European routes, growing significantly post-COVID through additions like German destinations in 2024 to capitalize on recovering leisure demand. Overall, these services operate at 2-4 weekly frequencies on average for European legs, prioritizing affordability and flexibility for seasonal peaks.

Fleet

Current fleet

As of November 2025, Israir operates a total of 8 active aircraft, all based at in . The fleet emphasizes narrowbody jets suitable for its short-haul network, with a focus on leased operations to maintain flexibility. Configurations across the board are all-economy and high-density, optimized for efficiency on domestic and regional international routes. The utilizes wet-leases for additional capacity during peak seasons, including extra A320s in summer and B737s in off-peak periods. Israir operates 8 Airbus A320-200 aircraft averaging 16.1 years of age. Each is equipped with 180 seats in a single economy class layout, supporting high passenger throughput on key routes. These include owned and long-term leased units, with one outright purchase in February 2025. An example registration is 4X-ABF for one of the A320s, bearing the airline's standard livery. No aircraft orders are pending as of November 2025, with the prioritizing lease agreements to align fleet size with fluctuating market conditions.
Aircraft TypeIn ServiceAverage Age (Years)SeatsNotes
A320-200816.1180 (economy)Includes owned and leased; wet-leases additional for peaks; efficiency-focused

Fleet development

Israir began operations in 1996 with two leased ATR 42-300 configured for 50 passengers each, focusing on domestic scheduled services between and . In 2000, Israir expanded into international markets by wet-leasing a 757-200 with 239 seats, followed by 767-300 wet-leases for transatlantic flights to New York. During the 2000s, the fleet grew through the addition of three Boeing 737-300 and 737-400 aircraft between 2002 and 2008, enabling more efficient short- and medium-haul operations; by 2009, the airline reached a peak of seven aircraft, including leased widebodies and narrowbodies. In April 2008, Israir transitioned its New York service to a wet-leased Airbus A330-200, replacing the to improve capacity and efficiency on the route. A pivotal shift occurred in August 2007 when Israir placed a firm order for three Airbus A320-200 jets, its first Airbus acquisition, aimed at modernizing the narrowbody segment. The 2010s marked a period of modernization, with the delivery of the initial A320s starting in 2010 and subsequent leases adding up to five units by the mid-decade. In 2011, Israir introduced two ATR 72-500 turboprops to replace the aging ATR 42s on domestic routes, enhancing short-field performance at airports like . The airline also incorporated wet-leased 737-800s from 2014 onward for seasonal European routes, providing flexibility without long-term commitments. The first dedicated A320 wet-lease arrived in 2020 to support post-pandemic recovery and new Middle Eastern destinations, such as . Recent developments reflect a strategic focus on fleet rationalization and efficiency. In 2022, Israir retired its last 737-300 and announced the sale of its ATR 72-500s to streamline operations around the A320 family. By February 2023, the two remaining ATR 72-500s were sold, completing the transition to an all-narrowbody jet fleet. In February 2025, the purchased an A320-200 outright for $22 million—the ninth aircraft overall and fifth owned— with delivery by month's end to bolster capacity amid rising demand. Wet-leases of additional A320s continue for summer peaks, supporting up to 2 million annual passengers. This emphasis on the fuel-efficient A320 platform has reduced the average fleet age to 16.1 years as of late 2025.

Incidents and accidents

Non-fatal incidents

On July 6, 2005, an Israir 767-200, fully loaded with 262 passengers and crew bound for from New York JFK, taxied onto an active in violation of instructions, coming within 75 feet of a colliding DC-8 cargo jet that aborted takeoff; the near-miss was attributed to crew disorientation in low visibility, resulting in no injuries but prompting an FAA investigation and temporary flight suspensions by Israir. In August 2008, an Israir Airbus A320 operating a domestic flight from Eilat to Tel Aviv departed with an unreported small hole in the fuselage, likely caused by a collision with ground equipment at Eilat Airport; the damage was discovered post-arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, leading to a Civil Aviation Authority probe into potential cover-up by ground staff, though no injuries were reported and the aircraft was grounded for repairs. On May 29, 2017, a Boeing 737-800 (registration OK-TVG) operating Israir flight 6H-734 from , , to , , suffered a loss of en route; the crew declared an and diverted safely to Košice Airport, , with all passengers and crew disembarking without injury. On March 23, 2018, a Boeing 737-800 (registration OK-TVP) operating for Israir at , , experienced smoke entering the cabin from a ground tug during pushback; the crew initiated an evacuation using emergency slides, resulting in no fatalities but one passenger seriously injured after falling during the process; the aircraft was inspected and returned to service. On August 16, 2016, Israir flight 6H-812, an A320-200 from , , to , experienced an in-flight shutdown of one engine due to a technical fault; the crew declared an and continued safely to for landing, and all 170 passengers and crew disembarked without injury, with the returning to service after 19.5 hours of maintenance. In September 2022, an Israir A320 arriving at from an international destination encountered issues, possibly involving the nose gear or braking system malfunction, leading to a high-speed rollout and declaration; no injuries occurred among the occupants, and the underwent before resuming operations. On November 3, 2024, an Israir A320-232 (registration 4X-ABI) at Ben Gurion experienced an accidental deployment of its left aft slide while parked on the ; no injuries were reported, the slide was repacked, and the was inspected before returning to service. On August 12, 2025, a 737-800 (registration OK-TSF) operating Israir flight 6H-734 from , , to , , suffered a loss of cabin pressure en route near , ; the crew diverted safely with no injuries reported. Israir has maintained a strong safety record overall since its in , with no fatal accidents and an incident rate below the global average, as evidenced by its 7/7 safety rating from AirlineRatings.com as of 2025; the airline has faced no major regulatory penalties from incidents, focusing instead on procedural improvements like crew training enhancements.

Accidents

Israir has maintained a strong safety record since its in , with no fatal accidents or fatalities recorded as of 2025. The airline's only hull-loss incident occurred on June 18, 2001, when an ATR 42-320 (registration 4X-ATK) experienced a failure of the starboard main undercarriage to extend during approach to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport. The crew performed a successful on the , evacuating all 49 occupants without injury, though the aircraft sustained damage beyond economic repair and was written off. In terms of major damage events, Israir has experienced limited ground incidents. On February 13, 2009, a Cargo freighter, while being towed on the at , collided with a stationary Israir 757-200 passenger aircraft. The impact caused minor structural damage to both planes, but no injuries occurred, and the Israir aircraft was repaired and returned to service. Israir complies with (IATA) operational standards as a member airline and has passed relevant audits, contributing to its 7/7 rating from AirlineRatings.com, which highlights its fatality-free operations and adherence to global benchmarks as of November 2025. This record reflects a lower rate compared to some regional low-cost carriers in the , supported by rigorous maintenance protocols and crew training.

References

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  2. https://www.ch-aviation.com/airlines/6H
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  22. https://www.ch-aviation.com/news/87238-israels-arkia-israir-suspend-intl-ops-through-end-1q20
  23. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/israel-approves-aid-package-to-el-al-israir-667682
  24. https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-cabinet-approves-aid-package-for-israels-airlines-1001370495
  25. https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/1613907555-israel-domestic-flights-for-green-passport-holders-starting-from-tuesday
  26. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2021-07-25/ty-article/israeli-airlines-start-regular-flights-to-morocco-as-part-of-resumption-of-ties/0000017f-ef24-dc28-a17f-ff376a050000
  27. https://www.globes.co.il/news/article.aspx?did=1001292339
  28. https://www.flightsfrom.com/ETM-HFA
  29. https://aviation.direct/en/israir-expands-flight-offer-to-Stuttgart
  30. https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airlines-lessors/dot-grants-tentative-approval-israirs-return-us-market
  31. https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/israir-airlines/israir-approved-to-launch-low-cost-flights-to-new-york-by-2026/
  32. https://passport.news/article/442
  33. https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/tourists-to-enjoy-more-travel-options-with-israirs-new-a320-200-aircraft-expansion/
  34. https://www.ch-aviation.com/news/153925-israels-israir-to-wet-lease-a320-200-during-s25
  35. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/uri-sirkis-433b4792_israir-aviation-growth-activity-7361659935631335426-43k2
  36. https://www.reuters.com/article/business/el-al-announces-acquisition-of-israir-idUSASA09W61/
  37. https://www.ch-aviation.com/news/68324-israir-el-al-call-off-merger-plans
  38. https://www.ch-aviation.com/news/111292-israir-heads-for-ipo-as-owner-completes-acquisition
  39. https://simpleflying.com/israels-israir-completes-ipo-and-plans-switch-to-an-all-jet-fleet/
  40. https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/ISRAIR-GROUP-LTD-139989571/company/
  41. https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/ISRAIR-GROUP-LTD-140050526/news/Israir-Group-Ltd-Reports-Earnings-Results-for-the-Full-Year-Ended-December-31-2024-49448006/
  42. https://www.tipranks.com/stocks/il:isrg/revenue
  43. https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/ISRG.TA/profile/
  44. https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/what-does-israirs-us-approval-for-tel-aviv-new-york-flights-mean-for-israels-airline-industry-and-could-it-finally-make-long-haul-travel-affordable/
  45. https://aviationsourcenews.com/israels-israir-gains-approval-for-flights-to-new-york-in-2026/
  46. https://www.ynetnews.com/travel/article/skoff9syel
  47. https://matzav.com/israir-to-raise-baggage-seat-selection-fees-again-starting-june-1st/
  48. https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-israir-to-adopt-low-cost-model-charge-for-baggage-1001268439
  49. https://www.alternativeairlines.com/israir-airlines
  50. https://www.israir.co.il/English/Passengers_Info/Baggage_Policy
  51. https://www.expedia.com/Israir-Flights.c6H.Travel-Guide-Airlines
  52. https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-iran-operation-pushes-israir-to-q2-loss-1001519980
  53. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/business/2016-02-04/ty-article/.premium/israir-is-the-comeback-kid-of-israeli-airliners/0000017f-e0af-d7b2-a77f-e3af4bd50000
  54. https://www.facebook.com/groups/secrettelaviv/posts/10163163059505943/
  55. https://www.alternativeairlines.com/domestic-flights-israel
  56. https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/companies/airline-companies/israir-haifa/
  57. https://www.google.com/travel/flights/flights-from-eilat-to-tel-aviv-yafo.html
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  60. https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-carriers-to-start-outbound-flights-on-monday-limited-to-50-people-per-plane/
  61. https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/israir-gets-initial-okay-to-operate-flights-to-new-york/
  62. https://en.port2port.co.il/article/Air-Transport/Airlines/Israir-Airlines-Completes-22-Million-Airbus-320-Purchase/
  63. https://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/Israir-history-b737.htm
  64. https://www.reuters.com/article/markets/israir-airlines-orders-3-airbus-a320-planes-idUSPAC007983/
  65. https://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/Israir-history-a320-0-dddesc.htm
  66. https://www.flightglobal.com/airlines/israir-unifying-its-fleet-around-a320s-after-agreeing-to-sell-atr-72s/150858.article
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