‍DALLAS – Israel’s aviation sector is expected to grow with the launch of a fifth airline operator.

A new Israeli airline is set to take to the skies next year. The airline, which will be Israel’s fifth carrier, intends to commence services in 2026. It plans to launch operations from Tel Aviv (TLV).

According to JNS, the owners of Cyprus-based TUS Airways (U8) and Greece-based Bluebird Airways (BZ) have received regulatory approvals to launch a new carrier, which will operate as TUS IL. 

With many foreign carriers having suspended their services to Israel over the last year and a half due to regional instability, the Israeli carriers that did not halt services have been making a profit. Moreover, the launch of another airline suggests that demand for reliable services to Israel is increasing. 

At present, the country has four airlines, including the flag carrier, El Al (LY), low-cost carriers (LCC) Arkia (IZ) and Israir (6H), as well as newly established Air Haifa (E2), which launched last year. The launch of TUS IL is expected to expand the country’s aviation sector and introduce competition to the marketplace.

Israel’s Transport Minister, Miri Regev, said that the regulatory approval for another carrier was good news, as it will increase competition and lower fares, which have been exceptionally high during troubled times.