Israir gets final FAA approval for Tel Aviv-New York flights

Israir has received final approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration to operate scheduled flights to the United States, the airline announced on August 24, 2026. The clearance removes the last regulatory obstacle to its planned nonstop route between Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv and John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.

The airline had targeted October 19 for the inaugural flight. It said the launch date could now move earlier since the FAA process is complete. Israir described the approval as the decisive step following earlier clearances from Israeli and US authorities.

The FAA decision follows an August 18 authorization from the US Department of Transportation allowing Israir to begin ticket sales for flights to the United States. Israel's Civil Aviation Authority had previously cleared the carrier to fly its Airbus A330-200 aircraft on North American routes.

According to Israir, the approval reflects confidence from American authorities in the airline's safety and operational standards. The carrier said it hopes the new route will boost competition and give customers more choice on the transatlantic corridor.

Schedule and fare details have not yet been published. Earlier plans envisioned up to six weekly round trips between the two cities, but Israir said the final timetable would only be confirmed once tickets go on sale.

To support the long-haul expansion, Israir acquired two Airbus A330-200 widebody jets, registered 4X-BAK and 4X-BAL. Both aircraft were originally delivered to US Airways in 2010 before passing to American Airlines following that carrier's merger with US Airways.