Arkia Launches First Direct Flights From Tel Aviv to Madeira

Israeli airline Arkia has operated its inaugural direct flight from Tel Aviv to the Portuguese island of Madeira, located in the Atlantic Ocean. The flight departed from Ben Gurion Airport on Tuesday, September 22, and lasted approximately 6 hours and 20 minutes, according to Ynet. Currently, tickets to Madeira are not available for individual purchase. Initially, Arkia, in partnership with Millennium, will operate only three flights for groups booking through travel agents. However, the airline is assessing demand and considering opening the route to the general public by 2027. Details on ticket sales and pricing have not yet been announced. The inaugural flight utilized an Airbus A321 aircraft, landing at Madeira International Airport, named after the island's famous son, Cristiano Ronaldo. The airport's location between mountains and the sea, with a runway partially built on stilts over water, requires pilots to have special training due to local wind conditions. Arkia confirmed its crews have undergone the necessary preparation. Madeira, west of Morocco and part of Portugal, is a popular tourist destination known for its green mountains, waterfalls, cliffs, and levada walking trails. Visitors can also enjoy natural pools in Porto Moniz, the capital Funchal with its markets and gardens, fishing villages, vineyards, and volcanic beaches. Whale and dolphin watching tours are available year-round. In January, Tripadvisor ranked Madeira as the world's most popular new destination for 2026 based on traveler reviews.