TechAir Aims to Boost Israel-US Connectivity

DALLAS — In November, the Israeli tech entrepreneur movement DemocraTech announced that it would launch an airline start-up called TechAir. This new airline is set up to solve a significant problem that many Israeli companies face: they cannot operate their multinational businesses without additional flights to the United States. 

Since the October 7 attack, almost all international carriers have halted flights to Israel, leaving EL AL (LY) as the only airline operating nonstop flights on lucrative routes between the United States and Israel. Although LY has increased its frequency, prices for flights between the United States and Israel have continued to rise dramatically as there is not enough capacity to meet the demand. 

TechAir plans to launch three weekly flights between Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) and New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Initially, the airline planned to operate from Newark Liberty Airport (EWR); however, they could not secure departure and arrival slots. This service will operate seasonally from January through March to supplement LY’s routes to the United States. 

TechAir has 36 weekly flights planned during the three-month operational period. This service would be the first Israeli airline to fly between Israel and the United States since LY began flying between the two countries in November 1948. 

Earlier this month, TechAir published a Google Forms sheet for people interested in the flights. However, all submissions to the form are dubbed a “soft commitment and are not obligatory,” aimed at gauging the market for potential interest. Per the form, TechAir plans to begin service on January 5, 2025. Flights will depart TLV on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays around midnight and arrive in the morning at JFK. 

These flights will be operated by the same Boeing 777 aircraft, either the 200 or 300 variant, which will be wet-leased. As such, the wet lease company will cover crew, security, ground arrangements, and maintenance. While the specifics about which wet-lease company will operate the route have yet to be disclosed, TechAir is working with an Israeli company to operate the route. 

While these flights target businesses that operate in both countries, anyone can purchase flight seats. TechAir will sell round-trip tickets in economy for US$1,350, premium economy for US$2,600, and business class for US$5,400. These prices are comparable to pre-war fares and anywhere from 30 to 60% lower than a typical El Al ticket price. 

TechAir is not a regular for-profit airline; it is a cooperative committed to sharing profits from the options with companies that pre-purchase ticket allocations. Moreover, all cargo revenue from the flight will be included in the shared profits. The airline is also petitioning for an exemption from the Israeli Aviation Services Law (IASL), which requires airlines to compensate passengers for delays. 

However, if TechAir would have to follow IASL, it would significantly impact the ticket cost. Previously, Israeli leisure carriers Arkia (IZ) and Israir (6H) have requested a similar exemption.