The Israeli airline announced: “We are reducing activity in Israel”

In a letter issued today by Arkia, it claims that the new schedule of outgoing flights does not allow it to continue operating flights that take off from Tbilisi at the moment: “Following the decision of the Ministry of Transportation to limit the number of passengers departing from Tbilisi to only 50 passengers per flight, Arkia clarifies that it operates in accordance with the guidelines, with the safety of passengers and crews being the top priority. At the same time, the company announces that the current schedule does not allow Having regular aviation activity and it is about closing Israel’s skies in practice.”

Today (23.3.26), the company will continue to operate the planned flight schedule, including the direct flight to New York, which will take off from Tel Aviv at 1:15 p.m. At the same time, the company is preparing to transfer most of its operations to the Aqaba and Taba airports as it did at the beginning of the war. In this framework, the company’s flights to New York, Bangkok and Hanoi will be operated with full occupancy from the Aqaba airport. An updated flight schedule will be published As soon as possible. At the same time, Arkia will maintain minimal activity from Tel Aviv, which will include flights to Larnaca and Athens, mainly for humanitarian needs.

The company emphasizes that “the existing layout does not allow for normal activity and that Arkia does not intend to be required to choose between passengers who have already purchased tickets – a situation that is not applicable and is not consistent with the company’s values.”

Arkia’s CEO, Oz Berlovich, added: “Arkia will continue to act responsibly, while maintaining the safety of its passengers and providing alternative and creative aviation solutions as much as possible. We act in accordance with the guidelines, with the safety of passengers and crews being the top priority. At the same time, in the current outline it is not possible to maintain regular aviation activity, and what this means in practice is the closing of Israel’s skies. The company cannot be required to choose between passengers who have already purchased tickets, therefore we are preparing to transfer the main activity to the airports in Aqaba and Taba, in order to maintain aviation continuity as much as possible.”

In addition, El Al also announced that it is examining the continuation of its activities: “Following the announcement by the Ministry of Transportation about a significant reduction in the volume of passengers departing from Israel alongside the reduction of takeoffs and landings, El Al is currently examining all the implications of the new layout – in terms of safety and operational aspects.

“The company is working to formulate a limited structure that will allow for the continuation of essential activity to maintain the air bridge from Israel to and from Israel, and will update throughout the day as to how it operates. As always, El Al will do everything necessary, taking into account the limitations, to be the air bridge for Israelis in Israel and around the world. At the same time, El Al is calling for the opening of Ramon Airport as a complementary alternative to NBG, with the aim of preserving aviation activity and providing a response to the traveling public.”

As I recall, yesterday a decision was made thatOnly one flight per hour will be able to take off and land in Israel, this is in contrast to the two flights that have been until now. In addition, the number of passengers on each outgoing flight has decreased to 50, this is in contrast to the 130 that was until now.