The announcement came following a meeting on November 12 at Arkia’s headquarters in Tel Aviv between Le Thai Hoa, commercial counselor of the Vietnam Trade Office in Israel, and Sapir Ifergan, Arkia’s commercial sales director.

During the meeting, Ifergan praised the potential and prospects of the Vietnamese market, describing Vietnam as an important destination in Arkia’s expansion strategy toward Asia.

Under the plan, Arkia will initially operate one weekly flight between Ben Gurion International Airport (Tel Aviv) and Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi) from January to June 2026.

Due to increased travel demand during Israeli holidays, Arkia may increase to two weekly flights in March 2026. The airline will use wide-body aircraft with a capacity of about 290 passengers.

Tickets are already on sale via Arkia’s website and agent network, with economy-class fares starting at around US$1,000 one-way, and business-class tickets priced at approximately US$2,500.

Arkia has requested the Vietnam Trade Office to facilitate connections with Vietnamese travel agencies and ticketing partners, aiming to establish long-term business relationships.

Counsellor Hoa welcomed the initiative, affirming that the Trade Office will actively support and connect Arkia with suitable Vietnamese partners to promote mutual benefits.

Vietnam has become an increasingly attractive destination for foreign investors, manufacturers, and tourists, thanks to its strong industrial growth, expanding export sectors, and its emerging role as a key link in global supply chains.

Once operational, Arkia will become the first Israeli airline to operate a direct route to Vietnam - a milestone that realises the goals outlined in the 2020 Protocol amending the Bilateral Air Transport Agreement between the two countries.

The direct flight is expected to facilitate travel for businesses, investors, tourists, and citizens, while also deepening mutual understanding and enhancing multifaceted cooperation between Israel and Vietnam.

Economic relations between Vietnam and Israel have also been growing steadily. The Vietnam–Israel Free Trade Agreement, which took effect in mid-November 2024, has provided a strong boost for bilateral cooperation in trade and investment.

In 2024, two-way trade reached US$3.247 billion, with Vietnam exporting US$794.6 million and importing US$2.452 billion. In the first ten months of 2025, Vietnam’s exports to Israel increased by 4.1% to US$704.3 million, while imports rose 22.9% to US$2.368 billion. By the end of 2025, trade turnover is expected to hit US$3.7 billion, up nearly 14% year on year.

Israel currently has 45 projects in Vietnam with total capital of US$155.9 million, while Vietnamese investment in Israel amounts to US$78.25 million.

Direct flights from India to Phu Quoc start December 9

VOV.VN - Online travel platform MakeMyTrip will launch package tours from India to Phu Quoc city in An Giang province, located in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region, with charter flights operated by Air India Express beginning December 9.