Israeli airline Arkia announced Sunday that it will be extending its recently launched flights to New York through at least October, following strong demand on the transatlantic route. Originally planned as a three-month operation, the airline’s 90% occupancy rate on the flights prompted the decision to continue service.

Arkia, Israel’s second-largest airline, introduced the route just weeks ago and is already competing with United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, both of which are set to resume flights between New York and Tel Aviv within the next six weeks.

“Competition is good for everybody,” Arkia CEO Oz Berlowitz said, emphasizing that while the U.S. carriers are returning, their flight schedules remain limited compared to pre-war operations. He also called New York a “strategic asset” for the Israeli airline.

In addition to the extended New York flights, Arkia is expanding its European routes ahead of the busy spring and summer travel season. The airline is now operating flights to 30 destinations, a 30% increase from last year. One-third of its flights are to 11 Greek cities, as Greece continues to be a top destination for Israeli travelers. New routes also include Spain, Hungary, and Albania.

With most foreign airlines suspending operations during the war, El Al had a near-monopoly on transatlantic routes, leading to skyrocketing fares amid accusations of price gouging. However, with more airlines resuming service, prices may begin to stabilize later in the year.

United Airlines is set to restart daily flights to Tel Aviv from Newark on March 15, with a second daily flight beginning March 29, making it the first U.S. carrier to return. Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines plans to resume its New York-JFK to Tel Aviv route on April 1.

Despite the increased competition, fares are expected to remain high through the summer.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)