Shortly after completing the move that brought it to New York for the first time with a direct flight, Israir is setting its sights on a new long-haul destination: Japan. Group CEO Uri Sirkis revealed that the company began the licensing process yesterday that could eventually allow it to operate flights to Japan, with Thailand also expected to follow.
2+Sirkis made the announcement during Israir’s inaugural flight to New York, which landed at JFK, in a message delivered to passengers. According to Sirkis, the company views the New York route as a significant step in its development—but for Israir, it is only the beginning. The move toward Japan comes as Israir expands its long-haul operations. The company has invested $85 million in the acquisition of wide-body aircraft, with the aim of increasing its ability to operate routes to more distant destinations.
At the same time, Israir continues to invest in infrastructure designed to support its international operations. The company cited investments in technological systems, service infrastructure and aircraft maintenance, including the establishment of a heavy-maintenance facility in Larnaca at an investment of more than $10 million. But alongside aircraft and infrastructure, Sirkis also emphasized the company’s employees as a central component of its expansion. Israir’s “human infrastructure,” he said, is the company’s most important infrastructure.
2+The launch of New York service is the first step already underway. Tickets for the inaugural flight went on sale only about a week before departure, with approximately 240 passengers aboard.
For Israeli travelers, Japan is not yet an Israir destination that can be booked. The beginning of the licensing process does not mean the route has been approved or that a launch date has been set, but it does indicate that the company is actively exploring the possibility of adding the distant destination to its route network.
2+So while the New York flight marks Israir’s entry into the world of long-haul travel, the airline is already beginning to explore its next destination—this time, on the other side of the world.