Arkia
An Israeli airline providing scheduled domestic and international passenger services, charter flights, and tourism-oriented air transport.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Arkia, legally incorporated as Arkia Israeli Airlines Ltd, is an Israeli passenger airline headquartered at Ben Gurion Airport and operating a hub at Ramon Airport near Eilat. It is generally described as Israel’s second-largest airline and has historically played an important role in connecting Israel’s population centers with Eilat, a major resort and port city on the Gulf of Aqaba. Its business combines scheduled domestic services, scheduled international routes, seasonal leisure flying, and charter operations serving destinations in the Mediterranean and Western Europe. The airline was established in 1949 as Israel Inland Airlines, shortly after the foundation of the State of Israel. The initial business rationale was to provide reliable air links between Tel Aviv, Eilat, and other geographically separated communities. Operations began in 1950 with small de Havilland aircraft, and the carrier later introduced Douglas DC-3s. In its first year it carried more than 13,000 passengers, while the expansion of the Tel Aviv–Eilat route helped annual traffic exceed 70,000 passengers during the 1950s. The airline’s development was closely associated with Eilat’s growth as a commercial and tourist center. During its early decades, Arkia operated under several names, including Eilata Airlines, Aviron, and Arkia Israel Airlines. El Al held a 50 percent interest in the airline in its early period, with the other half held by Histadrut, Israel’s national labor federation. During the 1960s Arkia expanded its domestic network and introduced Handley Page Dart Herald turboprops. New routes reached Jerusalem and Sharm el-Sheikh, and the carrier’s network eventually extended from Rosh Pinna in the north to Ofira, the former name of Sharm el-Sheikh, in the south. A major corporate step occurred in 1980, when Kanaf Arkia acquired the remaining shares of Arkia and merged the two operators. The enlarged business expanded during the 1980s into international charter flying and aircraft maintenance. In the 2000s, the company pursued a more extensive scheduled international role as Israel’s aviation market became more open to additional competition. Kanaf-Arkia Airlines was identified as the majority owner, while employees held a minority stake in the ownership structure described during that period. In 2006, the Nakash family’s Jordache Enterprises acquired Knafaim’s 70 percent interest in the airline. Arkia received authorization for additional scheduled international services in the late 2000s, including routes to Dublin, Larnaca, and Paris. It also sought authority for destinations such as Barcelona, Berlin, Moscow, New York, and Bangkok. The carrier considered Boeing 737 and Boeing 787 aircraft as part of its international growth plans, although the 787 order was subsequently transferred to a leasing company and the long-haul fleet strategy changed. Arkia later ordered Airbus A330neo aircraft and became the launch customer for the Airbus A321LR, receiving its first aircraft of that type in November 2018. The airline unveiled a new visual identity in 2017. Its aircraft adopted a lowercase “a” on the tail, a striped treatment, and multicolored accents on the rear fuselage and winglets. The precise colors varied between aircraft, giving the fleet a distinctive leisure-oriented appearance. Arkia has also used wet leases and aircraft operated by partner carriers to support its international schedule. In 2024 it announced a wet lease of a Boeing 737-700 from Ukraine-based SkyUp. In 2025 it announced direct New York–Tel Aviv services using aircraft operated by Iberojet and Neos, reflecting a strategy of serving long-haul demand through leased or partner-operated wide-body aircraft. A JetBlue interline agreement announced for 2026 was intended to connect Arkia passengers with JetBlue’s network in the United States and the Caribbean.
History
Arkia was founded in 1949 as Israel Inland Airlines to address the need for domestic air connections in the newly established State of Israel. Its principal strategic purpose was to link Tel Aviv with Eilat and other communities that were distant from the country’s main population centers. The first services began in 1950 with de Havilland DH.89 aircraft. Douglas DC-3s were subsequently introduced, allowing the airline to carry more passengers and operate a more useful domestic timetable. In its first year the company carried 13,485 passengers using a Curtiss Commando, and passenger volumes grew as Eilat developed as a port and tourism destination. In the 1950s Arkia increased the frequency of the Tel Aviv–Eilat route and expanded its fleet. By the end of that decade, annual passenger numbers had risen above 70,000. Ownership during the early period was divided between El Al, which held half of the airline, and Histadrut, Israel’s labor federation. The company used several names as its business developed, including Eilata Airlines, Aviron, and Arkia Israel Airlines. The 1960s brought larger and more capable turboprop aircraft. Arkia introduced Handley Page Dart Herald 200 aircraft between 1967 and 1968, supporting the expansion of services to Jerusalem and Sharm el-Sheikh. A subsidiary called Kanaf Arkia Airline and Aviation Services was established after the acquisition of a 50 percent interest in Kanaf Airlines and Aviation Services. By the end of the decade, the combined network covered Israeli destinations from Rosh Pinna in the north to Ofira, then the name used for Sharm el-Sheikh, in the south. In March 1980, Kanaf Arkia acquired the remaining shares of Arkia and merged the companies. During the 1980s the enlarged airline expanded into international charter flying and aircraft maintenance in addition to its domestic schedule. This combination of domestic connectivity, tourism transport, charter operations, and aviation support services became a recurring feature of Arkia’s business model. During the 2000s Arkia pursued a larger role in scheduled international aviation. Kanaf-Arkia Airlines was described as holding 70 percent of the airline, with employees holding the remaining 30 percent. In 2006 the Nakash brothers, associated with Jordache Enterprises, acquired Knafaim’s 70 percent interest. The airline subsequently received authorization for scheduled flights to destinations including Dublin and Larnaca, and it sought further rights for routes to New York, Bangkok, Barcelona, Berlin, Moscow, and Paris. Paris authorization was granted in 2008, and Arkia stated that the route would offer both economy and business class. Fleet planning during this period included proposed Boeing 737 and Boeing 787 acquisitions. The planned 787 aircraft were later transferred to an aviation-leasing subsidiary and leased to Norwegian Air Shuttle, while the long-haul plan was revised toward four Airbus A330neo aircraft. Arkia’s most notable fleet milestone came in November 2018, when it became the launch customer for the Airbus A321LR and received the first aircraft of that type. The airline refreshed its brand identity in May 2017. The new livery used a lowercase “a” on the vertical tail, striped graphics, and multicolored markings on the aft fuselage and winglets. The design was introduced in the context of fleet renewal and gave Arkia a more contemporary, visibly leisure-focused appearance. Arkia has continued to combine its own scheduled operation with aircraft supplied by other carriers. In 2024 it announced a wet lease of a Boeing 737-700 from SkyUp. In 2025 it announced direct New York–Tel Aviv flights using Airbus A330-900 aircraft operated by Iberojet and additional service using Boeing 787-9 aircraft operated by Neos. These arrangements enabled the airline to offer long-haul services without relying exclusively on aircraft operated under its own air operator structure. A JetBlue interline agreement announced for 2026 was intended to extend the practical reach of Arkia’s Israel services through connections across JetBlue’s United States and Caribbean network. Arkia’s only specifically documented major security incident in the cited reference occurred on 28 November 2002. Two anti-aircraft missiles were fired at Flight 582 shortly after it departed Mombasa, Kenya. The Boeing 757-300 was not hit and landed safely in Tel Aviv. The event occurred approximately twenty minutes before the bombing of a Kenyan hotel. As of 2020, the airline was reported to employ 420 people. It remains an active Israeli carrier with a business centered on domestic routes, leisure travel, charter services, and selected international expansion.
- 2025
New York–Tel Aviv service is expanded through partner-operated aircraft
[1]Arkia announces direct New York–Tel Aviv services using aircraft operated by Iberojet and Neos.
- 2024
SkyUp wet lease is announced
[1]Arkia announces plans to wet-lease a Boeing 737-700 from SkyUp.
- 2018
First Airbus A321LR is delivered
[1]Arkia becomes the launch customer for the Airbus A321LR and receives its first aircraft.
- 2017
New visual identity is introduced
[1]Arkia unveils a lowercase tail logo and multicolored striped livery.
- 2006
Nakash family acquires Knafaim’s interest
[1]The Nakash brothers associated with Jordache Enterprises acquire Knafaim’s 70 percent stake in Arkia.
- 1980
Kanaf Arkia merger
[1]Kanaf Arkia acquires the remaining shares of Arkia and merges the two operators.
- 1980
Expansion into international charter and maintenance services
[1]Following the merger, the business expands beyond domestic scheduled flying into international charters and aircraft maintenance.
- 1967
Handley Page Dart Herald aircraft enter service
[1]The airline introduces larger turboprops, helping it expand domestic and regional services.
- 1950
Commercial operations begin
[1]Arkia’s predecessor begins flying with small de Havilland aircraft and carries more than 13,000 passengers during its first year.
- 1949
Israel Inland Airlines is founded
[1]The airline is established to connect Tel Aviv, Eilat, and other Israeli communities by air.
Products and positioning
A leisure-oriented Israeli airline combining domestic connectivity, international tourism routes, charter flying, and selectively expanded long-haul services.
Scheduled airline service · 1950
Domestic passenger services
Arkia’s domestic network historically centered on connecting Tel Aviv with Eilat and other Israeli destinations. These services support both ordinary domestic travel and access to Eilat’s tourism and port economy. The airline’s domestic role was the foundation of its business and remains closely associated with its identity as an Israeli carrier.
Scheduled airline service
International scheduled flights
Arkia operates or has operated scheduled international services from Israel to selected destinations in Europe and nearby regions. Its international expansion included authorization for routes such as Dublin, Larnaca, and Paris, while the airline also pursued opportunities in Barcelona, Berlin, Moscow, New York, and Bangkok.
Leisure aviation · 1980
Charter and leisure flights
Charter flying has been a significant part of Arkia’s business since its expansion during the 1980s. These services target tourism demand and connect Israel with Mediterranean and Western European destinations, often using seasonal schedules or aircraft supplied through leasing arrangements.
Aircraft-based passenger service · 2018
Airbus A321LR operations
Arkia became the launch customer for the Airbus A321LR and received its first aircraft in November 2018. The type gives a carrier of Arkia’s scale the ability to operate longer routes with a narrow-body aircraft, supporting international markets that may not require a wide-body fleet.
Partner-operated airline service · 2025
Long-haul services through operating partners
Arkia has used wet leases and partner-operated aircraft to support long-haul flying. Announced New York–Tel Aviv services in 2025 used Airbus A330-900 aircraft operated by Iberojet and Boeing 787-9 aircraft operated by Neos, allowing Arkia to offer transatlantic capacity without relying solely on its own operated fleet.
Marketing campaigns
- 2017New Arkia livery and identity rollout
Israel · International network
Arkia introduced a refreshed aircraft identity featuring a lowercase “a” on the tail, striped graphics, and multicolored accents. The rollout was associated with the arrival of newer aircraft and a more contemporary leisure-airline presentation.
Outcome. The new livery became the airline’s principal visible brand identity.
Brand decisions
2026
Establish an interline arrangement with JetBlueStrategyBackground
Arkia sought to improve onward connectivity for passengers traveling between Israel and North American destinations.
Action taken
Arkia implemented an interline agreement with JetBlue covering connections to JetBlue’s United States and Caribbean network.
Aftermath
The arrangement was intended to extend Arkia’s effective network beyond its own operated routes.
2025
Launch direct New York–Tel Aviv servicesProduct launchBackground
Arkia announced an expansion into direct transatlantic service.
Action taken
The airline announced New York–Tel Aviv flights using Airbus A330-900 aircraft operated by Iberojet and a further service using Boeing 787-9 aircraft operated by Neos.
Aftermath
The announcements expanded Arkia’s long-haul offering through partner-operated wide-body aircraft.
2024
Use a SkyUp wet leaseStrategyBackground
Arkia needed additional operating capacity and announced an arrangement involving a Ukrainian airline.
Action taken
The airline announced that it would wet-lease a Boeing 737-700 from SkyUp.
Aftermath
The arrangement provided additional aircraft and crew-supported capacity for Arkia’s operations.
2018
Introduce the Airbus A321LRProduct launchBackground
Arkia sought aircraft capable of supporting longer international routes without the capacity and operating profile of a wide-body aircraft.
Action taken
Arkia became the launch customer for the Airbus A321LR and received its first aircraft.
Aftermath
The aircraft broadened the range of markets that could potentially be served with a narrow-body fleet.
2006
Transfer of Knafaim’s majority interestM&ABackground
Knafaim held the majority interest in the ownership structure described for Arkia.
Action taken
The Nakash brothers associated with Jordache Enterprises acquired Knafaim’s 70 percent share.
Aftermath
The transaction placed the majority ownership interest with the Nakash family’s business interests.
1980
Merge Kanaf Arkia with ArkiaM&ABackground
Kanaf Arkia acquired the remaining stock of Arkia after holding an earlier interest in the aviation business.
Action taken
The two operators were merged into a single business.
Aftermath
The combined airline expanded into international charter operations and aircraft maintenance during the 1980s.
Recent events
- 2026
Arkia implements interline agreement with JetBlue[1]
M&A
Arkia announced an interline arrangement with JetBlue intended to provide onward access for passengers traveling between Israel and destinations in the United States and Caribbean.
- 2025
Arkia announces direct New York–Tel Aviv service operated by Iberojet[1]
Product launch
Arkia announced direct flights between New York and Tel Aviv beginning in February 2025, using Airbus A330-900 aircraft operated by Iberojet.
- 2025
Arkia announces additional New York–Tel Aviv service operated by Neos[1]
Product launch
The airline announced a second direct New York–Tel Aviv service, planned for June 2025 and operated with Boeing 787-9 aircraft by Neos.
- 2024
Arkia announces wet lease of a SkyUp Boeing 737-700[1]
Product generation
Arkia announced that it would wet-lease a Boeing 737-700 from Ukrainian airline SkyUp to support its operations.
- 2018
Arkia becomes launch customer for Airbus A321LR[1]
Product launch · Product generation
Arkia received its first Airbus A321LR, becoming the launch customer for the long-range narrow-body aircraft type.
- 2017
Arkia unveils a new aircraft livery[1]
Campaign · Other
The airline introduced a lowercase tail logo, striped graphics, and multicolored accents ahead of the arrival of newer aircraft.
- 2007
Arkia receives authority for additional scheduled international routes[1]
Other
The Israeli Tourism Ministry awarded Arkia scheduled-operator authorization for routes including Dublin and Larnaca, supporting the airline’s expansion beyond its traditional domestic and charter role.
- 2002
Arkia narrowly avoids missile attack after takeoff from Mombasa[1]
Other
Arkia Flight 582, a Boeing 757-300, was targeted by two anti-aircraft missiles shortly after departing Moi International Airport in Mombasa, Kenya. The aircraft continued safely to Tel Aviv. The incident occurred shortly before the bombing of a Kenyan hotel.
Sources1 sources
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