Air Haifa Launches Domestic Flights to Eilat Starting at 79 Shekels
Translated & summarized from Cursorinfo by baba
Air Haifa has launched new domestic flights between Ben Gurion Airport and Eilat, with tickets starting at 79 shekels one-way and the first flights departing October 25. The airline will initially operate two daily flights, increasing to three by November, and faces growing competition on the route from Israir and Arkia. This launch marks Air Haifa's second anniversary, during which it has flown approximately 600,000 passengers.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Air Haifa launched new domestic flights between Ben Gurion Airport and Eilat starting October 25.
- Introductory one-way ticket prices for the new route begin at 79 shekels.
- The airline will initially operate two daily flights, increasing to three by November.
- Additional fees apply for carry-on and checked baggage beyond a small personal item.
- The new route intensifies competition with Israir and Arkia on the Eilat line.
- Air Haifa celebrates its second anniversary, having carried 600,000 passengers since September 2024.
Air Haifa has officially announced the launch of regular flights connecting Ben Gurion International Airport with Eilat, adding a significant route to Israel's domestic air travel map. Ticket sales are now open, with the inaugural flights scheduled for October 25. To mark the launch, the airline is offering a special introductory price starting at 79 shekels one-way. Initially, Air Haifa will operate two daily flights in each direction, increasing to three daily flights by November, according to Globes. The base fare includes only a small personal item or backpack, with additional charges for carry-on luggage (starting at 49 shekels) and checked baggage (starting at 77 shekels). A ticket including a suitcase will thus cost a minimum of 156 shekels one-way. The airline has not yet announced ticket prices after the promotional period concludes.
This new route intensifies competition on the Eilat line. Previously dominated by Arkia, the market saw a shift when Israir won a government tender, operating eight daily flights at a maximum price of 99 shekels, with subsidized seats for local residents. Air Haifa enters this market without state subsidies but offers competitive initial pricing. This increased competition is already impacting passenger numbers, with Israir transporting 26,000 passengers in September 2026 (up from 17,000 the previous year) while Arkia's numbers dropped from 40,000 to 29,000.
The launch of the Eilat route coincides with Air Haifa's second anniversary. Since commencing operations in September 2024, the airline has completed approximately 10,000 flights and carried around 600,000 passengers, reaching peak popularity in August 2026. In related news, Blue Bird Airways is extending its direct flights from Ben Gurion Airport to Crete for the autumn-winter season, with tickets to Heraklion starting at 65 euros one-way.
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