Israir Airlines
Corporate brand
UnclaimedAn Israeli low-cost airline operating domestic, international, charter, air-taxi, and VIP flights.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Israir Airlines Ltd., generally known as Israir, is an Israeli low-cost airline headquartered in Tel Aviv. The carrier operates scheduled domestic services and air-taxi flights from Ben Gurion International Airport and Ramon Airport, while its international network is centered on Ben Gurion and includes scheduled and charter services to destinations in Europe and selected markets in Asia, Africa, and North America. It also provides VIP and other specialized aviation services. The business was established in 1989 under the name Kanfei HaEmek, or Valley Wings, and adopted the Israir Airlines name in 1996. Its early activities concentrated on domestic flying between Eilat, Tel Aviv, Haifa, and other Israeli airports. International charter operations began in 1999, giving the company a platform for later expansion into leisure and tourism markets. Israir’s commercial model has often been associated with the low-cost sector, and the company has been described as drawing inspiration from the operating approach of JetBlue. During the 2000s, Israir expanded its ambitions beyond short-haul and regional flying. It began regular charter flights to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport in 2004 and received permission in 2006 to pursue scheduled service on the route. The airline operated wide-body aircraft for the transatlantic plan, including leased Boeing 767 equipment and an Airbus A330, but discontinued the New York operation in 2008 for cost reasons and subsequently moved away from wide-body flying. In 2006, it signed an agreement to acquire Airbus A320 aircraft, making it the first Israeli airline reported to have purchased Airbus aircraft directly. Israir also sought to differentiate itself within the Israeli market. In 2007, it publicized a plan to place Torah scrolls on its aircraft for passengers wishing to pray during flights. The initiative was presented as a way to serve religious travelers and to attract customers dissatisfied with aspects of competing airline service. In 2008, after restrictions on Israeli carriers’ international designations were eased, Israir applied for authority on a broad set of European, Russian, and North American routes, although not all proposed services became permanent operations. The airline renewed its regional fleet in the early 2010s, taking delivery of ATR 72 aircraft in 2011 to replace older ATR 42 equipment. Its financial performance has periodically been difficult; a reported loss of 18.4 million shekels in 2014 was followed by operational and ownership challenges. In 2015, one of its Airbus A320 aircraft was seized in Portugal in connection with alleged unpaid obligations under an earlier leasing arrangement. That same year, El Al was reported to have discussed combining its Sun D’Or subsidiary with Israir, but the proposed transaction did not become the company’s ownership outcome. In 2020, Israir was put up for auction during a period of severe disruption to the aviation industry. Bids were associated with Rami Levy and Shalom Haim through BGI Investments, while the Dubai-based NY Koen Group also expressed interest. Israir subsequently became wholly owned by the Rami Levy Group. During the COVID-19 period, the company’s relative position in the Israeli market strengthened, and it was reported to have surpassed Arkia Israel Airlines to become Israel’s second-largest airline after El Al, with approximately 350 employees cited in reference material. Israir’s role combines scheduled airline activity with charter and tourism flying, making its network sensitive to seasonal demand, geopolitical conditions, airport access, and aircraft availability. The brand remains primarily associated with affordable Israeli air travel and leisure routes, while its history includes periodic attempts to enter long-haul markets. The company has also maintained a codeshare relationship with Smartwings. Reference material describes a planned return to the Tel Aviv–New York market using two former American Airlines Airbus A330-200 aircraft, but the timing and operational status of that plan should be verified against current airline and regulatory information.
History
Israir was founded in 1989 as Kanfei HaEmek, meaning Valley Wings, and was renamed Israir Airlines in 1996. The carrier initially focused on domestic flights within Israel, serving airports including Eilat, Ben Gurion, Sde Dov, and Haifa. Its international development began in 1999 with charter services, allowing it to participate in the growing market for Israeli leisure travel to Europe and other overseas destinations. The airline pursued a more ambitious international profile in the 2000s. It began regular charter flights to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport in June 2004 and obtained authorization in 2006 to seek scheduled-carrier status on the route. Wide-body aircraft were used for the transatlantic plan, including Boeing 767 equipment obtained through wet leasing and an Airbus A330. The New York service was discontinued in 2008 because of cost considerations, and Israir subsequently phased out wide-body operations. The company nevertheless continued developing its short- and medium-haul network. In 2006, Israir signed an agreement to acquire Airbus A320 aircraft. The move was notable in the Israeli market because it made Israir the first Israeli airline reported to purchase Airbus aircraft. The company also attempted to appeal to particular passenger segments. In 2007, it announced plans to carry Torah scrolls on its aircraft, a measure intended to accommodate religious passengers and distinguish Israir from larger competitors amid public dissatisfaction with some El Al practices. Following the easing of restrictions on Israeli airline designations in 2008, Israir applied to serve a broad group of international destinations, including London, Paris, Berlin, Moscow, Amsterdam, Rome, Budapest, Las Vegas, and Miami. Some of these cities had previously appeared in the carrier’s charter activity, but the applications did not mean that every proposed route became a lasting scheduled service. Fleet renewal continued in the early 2010s. Israir received ATR 72 aircraft in July 2011 to replace ATR 42 aircraft in its regional fleet. The business also experienced financial and operational pressure. It reported a loss of 18.4 million shekels in 2014, and in May 2015 a Portuguese authority seized an Airbus A320 at Lisbon in a dispute involving alleged unpaid leasing obligations to euroAtlantic Airways. El Al was also reported to have considered merging its Sun D’Or subsidiary with Israir, but the proposed arrangement did not produce a completed merger on the terms publicly discussed. In October 2020, Israir was placed on the market through an auction process during the COVID-19 crisis. Rami Levy and Shalom Haim submitted a bid through BGI Investments, while the NY Koen Group also announced an intention to participate. Israir ultimately became wholly owned by the Rami Levy Group. During the pandemic period, the airline’s market position improved relative to Arkia Israel Airlines, and reference material described Israir as Israel’s second-largest airline after El Al, with roughly 350 employees. Israir’s current identity is that of a diversified Israeli aviation operator rather than a pure low-cost scheduled carrier. Its activities include domestic passenger flights, international scheduled and charter services, air-taxi operations, and VIP flying. The airline operates from Ben Gurion International Airport and Ramon Airport and has maintained a network focused on Israel, Europe, and selected longer-distance markets. Smartwings is identified as a codeshare partner. Reference material also describes a plan to relaunch Tel Aviv–New York service with two former American Airlines Airbus A330-200 aircraft. Because that information concerns future or recently announced operations, the aircraft acquisition, launch date, and actual service status require verification from current company disclosures.
- 2020
Ownership auction
[1]Israir was offered through an auction process during the aviation-sector crisis and later became part of the Rami Levi Group.
- 2011
ATR 72 fleet renewal
[1]The airline received ATR 72 aircraft to replace ATR 42 equipment.
- 2008
Wide-body and New York operation phased out
[1]Israir canceled its New York flights for cost reasons and moved away from wide-body aircraft.
- 2006
Airbus A320 acquisition announced
[1]Israir signed an agreement to acquire Airbus A320 aircraft.
- 2006
Scheduled New York service receives authorization
[1]Israeli and United States authorities approved the airline’s application to convert its New York charter operation into scheduled service.
- 2004
Transatlantic charter service begins
[1]The airline began regular charter flights to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.
- 1999
International charter operations begin
[1]Israir expanded from domestic flying into international charter services.
- 1996
Renamed Israir Airlines
[1]The carrier adopted the Israir Airlines name used for its subsequent commercial development.
- 1989
Company founded as Kanfei HaEmek
[1]The airline was established under the name Kanfei HaEmek, translated as Valley Wings.
Products and positioning
Israir positions itself as an Israeli low-cost and leisure-oriented airline combining scheduled domestic services with international tourism, charter, air-taxi, and VIP operations.
Passenger air transport · 1989
Domestic passenger services
Israir operates domestic scheduled and air-taxi services within Israel. Its domestic activity has historically linked Tel Aviv with Eilat and other Israeli airports, including operations associated with Ben Gurion, Ramon, Sde Dov, and Haifa. The domestic network supports both ordinary passenger travel and tourism flows to Israel’s southern resort region.
Passenger air transport
International scheduled services
The airline provides international scheduled passenger services from Israel, with Europe as its principal geographic focus and additional service or proposals involving destinations in Asia, Africa, and North America. Route availability is subject to seasonality, regulatory permissions, aircraft capacity, and geopolitical conditions.
Charter aviation · 1999
International charter flights
Charter flying has been a central part of Israir’s international identity since 1999. These services support tourism and package-travel demand and have enabled the airline to serve destinations that may not support year-round scheduled operations. The charter network has covered European markets and has also extended to selected destinations beyond Europe.
Specialized aviation
VIP and air-taxi services
In addition to conventional airline services, Israir operates air-taxi and VIP flights. These offerings broaden the company’s aviation portfolio beyond fixed scheduled routes and can serve private, corporate, governmental, or other specialized travel requirements.
Marketing campaigns
- 2007Sky-Torah initiative
Israel
Israir announced plans to carry Torah scrolls on its aircraft so Jewish passengers could use them for prayer during flights. The initiative was intended both as a religious accommodation and as a differentiation strategy in the Israeli airline market.
Outcome. The initiative received public attention as a way to attract religious and Haredi travelers, although the long-term commercial effect is not established in the available material.
Brand decisions
2025
Planned return to the New York marketStrategyBackground
Reference material describes an opportunity to restore direct competition on the Tel Aviv–New York route after United States carriers suspended service amid heightened regional security conditions.
Action taken
Israir announced plans to acquire two former American Airlines Airbus A330-200 aircraft for long-haul operations.
Aftermath
The aircraft acquisition and actual launch of the route require confirmation from current company and regulatory sources.
2020
Sale and ownership transitionM&ABackground
Israir was placed in an auction during the severe disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Action taken
Multiple parties expressed interest, including Rami Levy and Shalom Haim through BGI Investments and the NY Koen Group. Israir ultimately became wholly owned by the Rami Levy Group.
Aftermath
The ownership transition preserved Israir as an operating Israeli airline and linked it to the Rami Levi Group.
2011
Replacement of ATR 42 aircraftGeneration changeBackground
The airline needed newer regional aircraft for domestic and short-haul operations.
Action taken
Israir took delivery of ATR 72 aircraft to replace ATR 42 aircraft.
Aftermath
The fleet transition increased the airline’s regional turboprop capacity.
2008
Withdrawal from transatlantic serviceStrategyBackground
Israir’s New York operation depended on wide-body aircraft and faced cost pressures.
Action taken
The airline canceled its New York flights and phased out wide-body aircraft.
Aftermath
Israir returned its strategic emphasis to domestic, regional, European, and charter operations.
2006
Adoption of Airbus A320 aircraftOtherBackground
Israir sought to modernize and expand its narrow-body fleet as its domestic and international network developed.
Action taken
The airline signed an agreement to acquire Airbus A320 aircraft.
Aftermath
The purchase was notable because Israir was reported as the first Israeli airline to purchase Airbus aircraft.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Israir launches direct Tel Aviv–Madrid service[3]
Israir launched a nonstop route connecting Ben Gurion Airport with Madrid, with three weekly flights operating on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays.
Reported
Court approves BGI's planned acquisition of Israir[4]
The Tel Aviv district court approved BGI Investments' bid to acquire Israir after bondholders backed the bid and rejected competing offers.
Reported
Israir bondholders choose BGI offer[5]
Israir’s sale trustee said bondholders chose BGI Investments’ offer in the final bidding round. The trustee said BGI’s bid had yet to be formally confirmed as the final selection.
Sources5 sources
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