Low-cost Israeli airline Arkia will resume direct flights between Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion Airport and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport from Thursday, the airline announced Wednesday.
During the 12-day war with Iran, Arkia's flights from New York were required to make an operational stop in Larnaca, Cyprus, for crew changes, but the airline has been able to relocate flight crews back to Tel Aviv since the ceasefire, and flights will now operate without the stopover, the airline added.
Arkia will operate the route with five flights per week, using two Airbus A330s from the Bulgarian airline, GullivAir.
“I would like to thank GullivAir for their exceptional cooperation and support during this challenging period for the aviation industry," Arkia CEO Oz Berlowitz commented.
"The partnership between the companies is a testament to mutual commitment and to providing excellent service for passengers on the Tel Aviv–New York route," he added.
Arkia expands its routes to Europe with three weekly flights to Munich
Meanwhile, the airline also confirmed that it will expand its routes to Europe, including three flights weekly to Munich, starting in August.
The flights will take place on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, the airline noted.