Arkia Cancels Planned Tokyo Flights Due to Regulatory Hurdles
Translated & summarized from Cursorinfo by baba
Israeli airline Arkia has canceled its planned direct flights to Tokyo, originally set to begin in October 2026, due to a lack of permits from Japanese authorities for leased aircraft. The airline is offering affected passengers alternative travel options, discounts, or full refunds. Arkia is working to obtain the necessary approvals and hopes to launch the route with its own planes, while El Al remains the only Israeli carrier flying directly to Tokyo.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Arkia canceled planned direct flights to Tokyo starting October 2026 due to Japanese permit issues.
- Affected passengers can choose alternative routes, a 10% discount on other destinations, or a full refund.
- El Al remains the only Israeli airline with direct flights to Tokyo.
- Arkia is negotiating with Japanese authorities and considering using its own aircraft.
- The airline recently canceled planned flights to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Israeli airline Arkia has announced the cancellation of its planned direct flights to Tokyo, which were scheduled to commence in late October 2026. The airline cited a lack of necessary permits from Japanese authorities for operating flights with a leased aircraft and crew as the reason for the cancellation. Arkia stated that it is continuing to seek the required approvals but cannot yet provide a new start date for the service.
The cancellations affect passengers who purchased tickets for October 25 and 28, and November 1 and 5. Passengers with bookings for later dates are not currently required to make changes. Arkia is offering affected passengers alternative routes, a discount on other destinations, or a full refund.
With Arkia's launch postponed, El Al remains the sole Israeli airline offering direct flights to Tokyo. Arkia's entry was expected to increase competition and potentially lower ticket prices. The airline is in ongoing negotiations with Japanese authorities and is also exploring the possibility of using its own aircraft for the route, hoping to secure permits in the coming weeks.
This is not the first time Arkia has postponed or canceled new routes. The company recently abandoned plans to launch flights to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, after previously announcing intentions to open another route in Vietnam following successful flights to Hanoi. Arkia still plans to begin flights to Manila, Philippines, in January 2027.
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