Air Haifa’s maiden flight took off from Haifa International Airport

Air Haifa planes started today (22.12) to take off and land at Haifa Airport. The port in Haifa, which was shut down due to the war, returned to serve as an international airport following the maiden flight of Air Haifa.

As of January 2, 2025, it will be possible to fly from Haifa to Athens for $149 each way. Flights on the Haifa-Athens route will initially be operated 5 times a week (on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays), with departures from Haifa at 09:00 and Athens at 13:00.

Air Haifa states that the flight schedule is designed to provide a comprehensive response to the aviation needs of the residents of the north and center, both in domestic flights and in international flights.

On the occasion of the start of flights from Haifa Airport, for the benefit of passengers, a new Egged bus line, line 100, began operating for the first time (12.22), which will connect the Gulf Central Station, which is the transportation parent of an integrated transportation system, the only one of its kind in Israel, directly to the entrance of the terminal at Haifa Airport. The new line will be activated every 30 minutes and will allow convenient, available and cost-effective access for passengers arriving at the station via Israel Railways, bus, subway or cable car.

Those flying from Haifa airport are asked to plan their arrival at the terminal up to an hour and a quarter before the departure time.

Air Haifa emphasizes that as the airline of the north, Air Haifa is particularly proud that the crew members, in the air and on the ground, come from all over the northern region, including from Ma’alot, Usafia, Ginoser, Karmiel, Dalit El Carmel, Shafaram, Haifa, the Kiryats and more.

Gonen Osishkin, co-founder and CEO of Air Haifa: “Great excitement to launch the operation from the Haifa airport. At this time, it is especially important to strengthen the region and provide the residents of the north with aviation services that they have been waiting for for many years. We are also happy to announce the expansion of our operations to Greece with daily flights to Athens, starting in January 2025, and plan to expand the offer Our goals are even higher for next summer.”

In addition to the fast boarding service and saving time from wasting time arriving at the airport, at Haifa airport the fliers will benefit from Duty Free shops without VAT. Air Haifa also notes that all flight tickets in the company are flexible and include the possibility of changing the flight date or canceling in exchange for credit for a future purchase on the company’s website, up to 24 hours before departure. The changes can be made easily using the “booking management” on the company website airhaifa.com. The flight tickets include boarding the plane with a personal bag free of charge, and additional services such as a trolley or a suitcase can be added to the belly of the plane and seated in advance according to the passengers’ needs.

The maiden flight was celebrated in a festive ceremony held in the renovated passenger terminal, in the presence of the Minister of Transportation and Road Safety, Miri Regev, Airport Authority CEO Sharon Kadami, Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav, Kiryat-Ata Mayor Yaakov Peretz, Kiryat-Motzkin Mayor Tsiki Avisher , airport manager Meir Cohen and the founders of the company.

Yona Yahav, Mayor of Haifa: “This is a historic moment for Haifa and the north, the north is going to be different, completely different. This is the first time that this city has an airline that bears its name. We will turn Haifa into a leading tourist city, with the development of hotels and advanced infrastructure. Thank you to all partners and to the Air Haifa company for the cooperation. I promise to be at your service 24/7!”.

Minister of Transportation Miri Regev: “I congratulate Air Haifa for joining the Israeli aviation industry, which keeps the skies open to and from Israel, even on the most difficult days. In the past year, we have learned how critical the activity of our airlines is to maintaining functional continuity, and the ability to bring Israelis home in any situation The return to operation of the Haifa airport is another step back to normality and to the strengthening of the northern region. I believe that soon we will see a recovery in tourism, and the Haifa airport will be a part of it.

“This is a historic moment for the Israeli aviation industry: after 30 years, a new Israeli airline is joining that serves the residents of the north and all of us, connecting the north and the south in the spirit of a vision of ‘connecting Israel’ that is becoming a reality before our eyes. Until, with God’s help, we inaugurate the high-speed train from Kiryat Shmona To Eilat, we are inaugurating a new route today between Eilat and Haifa.”

Director General of the Ministry of Transportation Moshe Ben Zaken: “Today we are taking an important step for the future of air transportation in Israel, under the leadership of the Minister of Transportation, Miri Regev, together with the Israel Defense Forces, RTA, and of course Air Haifa. The company ‘Air Haifa’ is now joining the Israeli aviation market and brings with it new opportunities, more competition and destinations Close and cheap. We will continue to develop the air infrastructure in Israel, strengthen the economy and tourism and lower the cost of living. We wish Haifa Airport and society Air Haifa is a great success.”

Director General of the Airports Authority Sharon Kedami: “The past year was not easy. The Iron Swords War presented us with heavy challenges, not only in the security and personal sense, but also in the transportation and aviation systems. Haifa Airport had to shut down its operations for a while. The return to operation of the port once again proves the resilience of the northern region and its ability to develop and grow, despite all the challenges. I am sure that Air Haifa will lead us to a future where Haifa will be an aviation center significant, which connects us all to the greater world and to economic and social prosperity. We at the Airports Authority will do as much as possible to help achieve this future.”