Business · Companies · 1 day ago
Israir in preliminary talks to buy rival Arkia
Israir is in preliminary talks to buy Arkia, its main local rival in Israel.
The two airlines are the country’s second- and third-largest carriers, behind El Al, and both fly domestic and international routes.
Israir chief executive Uri Sirkis says a purchase could help the airline compete with major foreign carriers operating in Israel.
Israir says it has invested in aircraft, technology and other businesses, while Arkia’s owners say the airline is in a crisis and are seeking a solution.
Arkia says its operations continue as usual, and its financial results are not public; local media have reported a loss, but those figures are unofficial.
Any purchase would still need approval, and Israir says a combined group could cut costs and compete on price and service.
Israir is in preliminary talks to buy Arkia, its main local rival, Chief Executive Uri Sirkis said in a letter to employees.
Sirkis said the deal could help Israir compete with international airlines operating in Israel.
Arkia’s owners say they are seeking solutions to a crisis at the privately held airline, while Arkia says its operations continue as usual.
Israir and Arkia are Israel’s second- and third-largest airlines, behind El Al.
Israir has a 12% share of passengers using Ben Gurion Airport in 2026, while Arkia has nearly 11%.
- Who
- Israir and Arkia, two Israeli airlines.
- What
- Israir is in preliminary talks to buy Arkia.
- When
- The talks were reported on November 8, 2026; Sirkis said he wrote to employees over the weekend.
- Where
- Israel; the airlines operate from Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.
- Why
- Israir says the move could strengthen its ability to compete with major international airlines operating in Israel.
Israir
Arkia
Purpose of a possible deal
Israir
Israir Chief Executive Uri Sirkis says a purchase could strengthen Israeli aviation and help create a competitor to major international airlines.
Arkia
Arkia’s owners say they are seeking solutions to the company’s crisis and aiming to rehabilitate it; the sources do not state their position on a sale.
Arkia’s condition
Israir
Israir describes Arkia as a worthy and respected competitor.
Arkia
Arkia’s owners say the airline has fallen into a crisis, while Arkia says its operations continue as usual.
Israir Chief Executive Uri Sirkis wrote to employees about the preliminary talks to buy Arkia.
Reports said Israir was in preliminary talks to purchase Arkia.
- Israir valuation
- $144 million
- Israir market share
- 12% of passengers using Ben Gurion Airport in 2026
- Arkia market share
- Nearly 11% of passengers using Ben Gurion Airport in 2026
- Israir passenger target
- 3.5 million passengers by 2030
- Planned fleet
- About 20 aircraft for Israir
- Arkia reported loss
- $30 million in the first three quarters of 2026, according to Israeli media; Arkia says its financial results are not public and the data are unofficial
2 sources
What people are saying
If the move is approved .. we will create an amazing aviation group that will compete on price and service against the major international airlines operating in Israel
its operations continue as usual
The Nakash Group is working to find solutions to the crisis Arkia has fallen into, with the aim of rehabilitating the company and bringing about its recovery. Its approach is uncompromising, professional, and long-term, with the well-being of passengers and employees at the forefront.