Introduction to TechAir
In response to the significant reduction in airlines operating flights to Israel due to the ongoing military conflict at the borders, a consortium of Israeli technology entrepreneurs has initiated a new airline, TechAir. This new airline is set to launch nonstop flights from Tel-Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) to New York-JFK, with potential considerations for Newark-EWR as an alternative. The anticipated start of operations is before the end of January 2025.
Background and Market Need
Historically, the primary nonstop connection between Tel Aviv and the U.S. has been served by Israel’s flag carrier, El Al. According to data from Cirium’s Diio database in December 2024, El Al was the only airline providing nonstop services to six U.S. destinations including New York-JFK, Newark (EWR), Boston (BOS), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Miami (MIA), and Los Angeles (LAX). They offered a total of 102,713 seats across these routes. However, the monopoly held by El Al has led to high fares and limited availability. As of January 8, 2025, searches on El Al’s website showed no available economy seats until February, with business class fares ranging between $4,000 and $5,800.
Objectives and Operations of TechAir
The aim of TechAir is to provide a lower-cost alternative to El Al, with initial economy class fares projected between US$900 and $1,550. However, they caution that these pre-launch prices could increase over time. TechAir is designed as a virtual carrier, meaning it will not hold its own Air Operator Certificate (AOC) but will instead wet-lease aircraft operated by an established third-party airline. The operations are planned to be seasonal, with up to 36 flights scheduled between January and March 2025. The flights are set to depart from Israel around midnight, arriving in New York early in the morning.
Strategic Partnerships and Fleet
Despite initial reports suggesting a partnership with Portuguese ACMI and charter carrier EuroAtlantic, TechAir’s website now indicates that the flights will be operated by an Israeli airline using Airbus A330-900neo aircraft. This choice is notable as currently, no Israeli airline owns this type of aircraft. The decision to use the A330-900neo is aimed at providing passengers with a comfortable and efficient flying experience, leveraging the aircraft’s advanced features for long-haul flights.
Booking and Future Plans
TechAir has launched a website where potential passengers can register their interest and pre-book flights. The decision to officially launch the airline will depend on reaching a certain threshold of bookings, ensuring there is adequate demand to sustain operations. The entrepreneurs behind TechAir are committed to providing a reliable and economical service, addressing the needs of the Israeli business community for more frequent and affordable flights to the United States.