Air Haifa Launches Eilat Route from Ben Airport

The airline began selling tickets on October 24 for flights commencing October 25, with introductory fares starting at NIS 79 one-way, subject to availability. Initially, the service will operate two round-trip flights daily, increasing to approximately three daily flights in November. Flights will depart from Terminal 1 and utilize ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft, suitable for short-haul routes, with a flight time of about an hour. The base fare includes a personal item, with additional charges for carry-on bags (starting at NIS 49) and checked luggage (starting at NIS 77). Passengers can change or cancel bookings up to 24 hours before departure for a credit valid for two years. The NIS 79 launch price is intended to build demand in a market that already features subsidized fares, such as Israir's NIS 99 one-way subsidized route to Eilat. This move marks a strategic shift for Air Haifa, which was founded around Haifa Airport but has been broadening its fleet and destinations. The airline had previously announced intentions in July to operate up to ten daily flights between TLV and ETM, pending slot allocations. The current frequency, while more moderate, will still add significant capacity to the central Israel-Eilat air corridor, especially following the closure of Sde Dov and Eilat's old airport. Air Haifa has experienced rapid growth since launching in September 2024, carrying approximately 600,000 passengers on about 10,000 flights. August saw a monthly record of 61,000 passengers on 880 flights. The airline is expanding its fleet of ATR 72-600 aircraft to support both its Haifa operations and the new TLV route, emphasizing that this expansion does not come at the expense of its northern activities.