Israel’s Arkia says preparing for gradual expansion of flight operations

Israeli carrier Arkia says it is preparing for a gradual expansion of flight operations at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport following the ceasefire with Iran and expects to resume a regular flight schedule starting May 3.

Arkia says it is working on plans to expand its flight schedule amid expectations that current restrictions on the number of passengers on aircraft departing from Israel and flight frequencies will be gradually eased in the coming days through May 2.

Throughout April, Arkia says it will operate flights to the following destinations: Athens, Larnaca, Rome, Vienna, London, Amsterdam, Paris, Bangkok, New York and Budapest.

“We are working in full coordination with all regulatory bodies to gradually increase the supply of flights and the number of passengers,” says Arkia CEO Oz Berlowitz. “At the same time, it is important to emphasize that the existing outline is still affected by the security situation and temporary agreements, and at present, this is only a short-term arrangement.”

“Ben Gurion Airport continues to operate under capacity restrictions due to security activities, and therefore changes and adjustments will be made in accordance with developments,” Berlowitz adds.

The Israel Airports Authority says it is conducting ongoing assessments with all relevant authorities and is awaiting directives from security officials and the Transportation Ministry.

Currently, the number of takeoffs and landings at Ben Gurion Airport is restricted to one per hour, and the number of passengers allowed on departing aircraft is limited to a maximum of 100 people. Arriving flights are operating without passenger quantity restrictions.