Israir has received final approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration to operate scheduled commercial flights to the United States, clearing the last major regulatory hurdle for its planned Tel Aviv–New York service. The Israeli low-cost carrier plans to use Airbus A330 widebodies on the route, with ticket sales expected to open shortly and the start date likely to move ahead of the previously indicated 19 October launch.
The new clearance follows earlier US Department of Transportation permission for the airline to sell tickets, which had left the FAA operating authorisation as the outstanding requirement. Israir’s entry would add a new competitor to the Tel Aviv–New York market and expand long-haul competition from Israel. The airline has positioned the service as part of its wider network expansion into North America after months of regulatory review in both countries.