Israel launched a new airline despite the war and amid El Al’s controversy.
Air Haifa, Haifa based airline is a new low-cost airline and the country’s fourth commercial carrier, has received its operating license and began flights on Monday October 30th with an ATR72-600.
It plans to connect northern Israel with destinations such as Eilat and Larnaca as per AirlineRatings.
This launch comes at a time when Israel’s aviation sector is undergoing a period of significant changes amidst a war environment as El Al, Israel’s national flag carrier, is under heavy scrutiny even though it has been reported record earnings, with second-quarter profits reaching US $147.4 million for potentially abusing its monopolistic position.
Air Haifa’s entry into the market may offer a new alternative for travelers, especially on domestic routes. If security conditions permit, flights from Haifa to Eilat–a southern Israeli port and resort town on the Red Sea, near Jordan and Larnaca–a port city on the south coast of Cyprus known for Finikoudes Beach, a sandy strip in the city center– will commence in mid-October, providing more options for travelers at a time when El Al’s dominance faces scrutiny.
However, due to the current security situation in northern Israel, the inaugural flights to Eilat will launch from Ben Gurion Airport instead.
The aircraft will feature an all-economy layout with 72 seats arranged in a 2-2 configuration.
According to El Pais, El Al garnered widespread support after the war started for adding flights to bring reservists back to Israel. The airline even flew on the Sabbath for the first time since 1982, citing the Jewish principle of pikuach nefesh — overriding religious rules to save lives.
As the conflict escalated, most foreign airlines canceled their routes to Tel Aviv, leaving El Al as the primary carrier operating in and out of the country. Despite this show of solidarity, the airline has faced backlash for steep fare increases, which have frustrated many Israelis who feel exploited.
Public discontent has led to intervention by the Minister of Economy, who negotiated fixed prices on select routes. Meanwhile, it is also reported that El Al’s share prices have surged, bolstered by increased demand and a weakening shekel due to political instability.
