Arkia Delays Direct Flights to Tokyo After Japan Denies Approval for Leased Aircraft
Translated & summarized from Bizportal by baba
Arkia Airlines has postponed its new direct route to Tokyo, initially set to launch on October 25, after Japanese authorities denied approval for flights using a wet-leased aircraft. The airline has canceled the first four flights and is offering affected passengers options including flights with layovers, destination changes, or full refunds. Arkia is working to secure approvals for operating with its own aircraft, hoping to resolve the issue in the coming weeks.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Arkia's direct flights to Tokyo, starting October 25, are postponed due to Japan's denial of wet-leased aircraft.
- The first four flights in October and November 2026 have been canceled.
- Passengers can choose between flights with layovers, changing destinations, or receiving a full refund.
- Arkia is seeking approval to operate the route with its own aircraft.
- The delay highlights complexities for Israeli airlines using leased aircraft internationally.
Arkia Airlines has been forced to postpone the launch of its direct route to Tokyo, originally scheduled for October 25, because Japanese authorities have not approved the operation of flights using a wet-leased aircraft. Consequently, the airline has canceled its first four flights on the route, planned for October 25 and 28, and November 1 and 5, 2026. Passengers who had already purchased tickets for these dates can choose between a flight to Japan with a layover, changing their destination, or canceling their booking for a full refund.
This delay represents a significant setback for Arkia, which has been actively promoting its first direct route to Japan in recent months. The airline intended to operate these flights using a wet-leased aircraft, meaning a plane leased from another company along with its crew, maintenance, and insurance. This model, also used by Arkia for some of its long-haul flights to other destinations, allows the company to expand its operations without owning all the necessary aircraft. However, in the case of Japan, local authorities currently do not permit the route to operate as planned.
Arkia is emphasizing that it is working to obtain the necessary approvals to operate the flights with its own aircraft and hopes to receive them in the coming weeks. For passengers whose flights have been canceled, Arkia is offering three alternatives: a flight to Tokyo via an intermediate destination (Bangkok or Hanoi), with Arkia coordinating the entire journey; a change to another Arkia destination with a 10% discount on the new ticket price; or a full refund. The airline clarified that these cancellations currently only apply to the four specified flights, and passengers booked for later dates are not required to make changes, though the route's continuation depends on Japanese approval.
The canceled route to Tokyo was considered a key move for Arkia in expanding its long-haul operations. The airline announced its launch in early June, planning to operate two direct flights per week to Tokyo's Narita Airport using a wide-body Airbus A330. The aircraft intended for the route was reportedly from Hi Fly. This delay highlights the complexities Israeli airlines face when expanding operations with leased aircraft, as international routes are subject to the approval of destination country authorities and sometimes the identity of the operating company.
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