Arkia Cancels Flights to Phuket Due to Security Directives
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Arkia Airlines will cancel its flights to Phuket, Thailand, starting January 2027, due to Israeli security directives prohibiting chartered flights. The airline cited new security instructions that prevent Israeli carriers from operating to the destination. This follows recent cancellations and reductions on routes to Vietnam, Japan, Morocco, and London. The decision comes as Arkia is undergoing a change in ownership, with a new investor group set to acquire a controlling stake.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Arkia Airlines will cancel flights to Phuket, Thailand, starting January 2027 due to Israeli security directives.
- The security directives prohibit Israeli airlines from operating chartered flights to the popular tourist destination.
- Phuket joins a list of destinations including Vietnam, Japan, and Morocco where Arkia has recently altered flight plans.
- The cancellation occurs amidst a pending sale of Arkia's controlling interest to a new investor group.
- Israeli visitors to Thailand have increased, with Phuket being a favored destination.
Arkia Airlines announced on Sunday that it will cancel its flights to Phuket, Thailand, starting in January 2027. This decision follows new security directives from Israeli authorities prohibiting Israeli airlines from operating chartered flights to the popular tourist destination. Flights scheduled until the end of December 2026 are expected to proceed as normal, with passengers who have already booked tickets to be contacted personally regarding alternative arrangements. The airline was given a grace period to organize the cancellation.
The halt in flights to Phuket, a destination that has seen a 4% increase in Israeli visitors in 2026 compared to the previous year, comes at the peak of Thailand's tourist season. Arkia had previously announced the Phuket route as part of its expansion in the Far East and increased competition with El Al. Tickets for April 2027 were still being offered for sale less than two weeks ago.
Phuket joins a list of destinations where Arkia has recently altered its plans. In September, the airline canceled its direct route to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, due to lower-than-expected demand, while increasing flights to Hanoi. Earlier in October, flights to Tokyo were canceled before their launch because Japanese authorities did not approve the wet-lease operation. Arkia also suspended ticket sales to Marrakech, Morocco, following heightened security concerns after an attempted attack on a Flydubai flight. The airline has also reduced its operations to London, cutting from daily flights to two per week, with a complete cessation planned for January and February, citing decreased winter demand.
This announcement comes amid significant developments regarding the airline's ownership. The Nakash brothers recently signed an agreement to sell controlling interest in Arkia to a group of investors who plan to inject $30 million into the company. Concurrently, the Histadrut labor union declared a labor dispute. Additionally, investor Ezra Unger has renewed his bid to acquire Arkia, offering employees a stake in the company and protection against layoffs, though his offer is contingent on the airline not operating on Saturdays. Employees must decide by Monday evening whether to accept the current investor agreement or present a competing offer.
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