Arkia Israeli Airlines

Arkia Israeli Airlines (IZ), Israel's second-largest carrier after El Al, has been connecting the nation since 1949. Originally founded as Israel Inland Airlines, it launched operations in 1950 with Douglas DC-3s, linking Tel Aviv to remote areas like Eilat. Over decades, Arkia expanded into turboprops, jets, and even Israel's first civilian helicopter service in 1959. Key milestones include merging with subsidiary Kanaf Arkia in 1980, entering international charters, and becoming the global launch customer for the Airbus A321LR in 2018, enabling ultra-long-range narrowbody flights.

Headquartered in Tel Aviv, Arkia operates a hybrid business model blending scheduled domestic and international flights with charters and vacation packages. Its network spans 32 destinations, focusing on domestic routes across Israel (e.g., Tel Aviv to Eilat) and leisure spots in Western Europe, the Mediterranean, Cyprus, Greece, and emerging long-haul services to New York JFK (wet-leased A330neo), Bangkok, and Hanoi. Hubs at Ben Gurion (TLV) and Eilat Ramon (ETR) facilitate seamless travel for sun-seekers and business travelers alike.

Majority-owned by U.S.-based Jordache Enterprises since 2006, Arkia emphasizes affordability and flexibility, often wet-leasing aircraft for seasonal peaks. With a fleet averaging 16.5 years, including efficient Embraer E195s for short hops and A321LRs for extended ranges, it stands out for innovation amid Israel's competitive aviation scene. Despite mixed passenger feedback on reliability and service, Arkia remains a go-to for value-driven Israeli getaways.