Arkia Launches New Direct Flight Route to Manila
Israeli airline Arkia announced it will launch a new long-haul route to Manila, the capital of the Philippines, beginning January 3, 2027. The airline will operate one direct flight per week to the Southeast Asian destination, intensifying competition in the region. Flights will be operated using an Airbus A330 aircraft leased from Bulgarian company GullivAir. Tickets will start at $750 one-way.
Departures from Ben Gurion Airport are scheduled for Sundays during the day, with return flights from Manila departing on Monday mornings. Arkia estimates the flight duration to Manila will be approximately 11 hours, and the return journey about 12 hours and 20 minutes. Currently, there are no regular direct flights between Israel and Manila, requiring travelers to take connecting flights.
This move follows El Al's announcement in February of this year, which also identified Manila as a potential future destination. However, El Al has not yet announced a start date or ticket prices for its proposed route.
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