Potential Israeli airline to serve Georgia, Dubai, and future Gulf destinations

Israeli tour package group Kavei Hufsha (Holiday Lines) is planning to establish a new Israeli airline, aiming to expand its flight offerings beyond Europe. 

The company, which already owns Greek airline Blue Bird and Cypriot airline TUS, intends to focus on short-haul flights to destinations within four to five hours of Israel.

Setting up a new airline is a complex process, typically taking at least 18 months. The licensing procedures with Israel’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) alone are expected to take around six months. 

If all proceeds smoothly, the company will consider acquiring aircraft or leasing them on a dry lease basis, meaning the planes will be rented without a crew while Israeli crews will operate the flights. Currently, the project is in its early stages, and Kavei Hufsha has yet to commence the licensing process with the CAA.

Kavei Hufsha’s existing European airlines are restricted to operating flights only between Israel and Europe. This limitation prevents expansion to destinations outside the continent, such as Georgia and Dubai, which the company is eager to reach. By establishing an Israeli airline, Kavei Hufsha will be able to serve these markets more effectively.

The airline’s plans also take into account the potential expansion of the Abraham Accords. As regional relations evolve, there is a possibility that Israelis may eventually be permitted to fly directly to Saudi Arabia, opening up further travel opportunities in the region.

With the project still in its initial phases, Kavei Hufsha’s move signals an ambitious expansion strategy that could reshape travel options for Israeli tourists in the near future.