Air Haifa, Israel’s New Airline, to Receive Its First Aircraft in July

The first new Israeli airline since the 1990s, Air Haifa, is poised to receive its initial plane in July, marking a significant milestone in the country’s aviation history. Following the arrival of this new aircraft, Air Haifa will seek a license from Israel’s Civil Aviation Authority, which it expects to secure by September.

Air Haifa will serve as a low-cost alternative for residents of northern Israel, allowing them to travel short distances or fly overseas without the need to go to Ben Gurion Airport. This makes Air Haifa the first commercial airline based at Haifa International Airport, offering flights from Haifa to Eilat and other Mediterranean destinations, including Greece.

The first aircraft in Air Haifa’s fleet, a new ATR 72-600 with 72 seats, will depart Toulouse-Blagnac Airport in France and arrive at Haifa Airport in July. The airline expects to add two similar planes to its fleet in the coming months.

Air Haifa CEO Usishkin emphasized the significance of developing an airline in northern Israel, calling it an “important step for the region that will help to strengthen the local economy and create new jobs.” He added, “We are proud, especially in this period, to be the first commercial airline in the country’s history to base its operations at Haifa International Airport.”

Upon completing the licensing process and receiving the necessary approvals from the Civil Aviation Authority, Air Haifa will announce the launch date for its operations and begin selling tickets.

The establishment of Air Haifa will provide northern residents with a convenient travel alternative and help relieve congestion at Ben Gurion Airport. According to Air Haifa’s website, “Instead of a long drive to the airport and arriving 3 hours before the flight to wait in lines and at the gate, our passengers will enjoy the convenience of flying internationally from their local airport and getting from their doorstep to onboard the airplane in less than 90 minutes.”

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