Israir Group has received an approach to examine buying Arkia Israeli Airlines, a possible combination that could affect competition and access to airport slots in Israeli aviation.
In a Nov. 4 filing to the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and Israel Securities Authority (ISA), Israir said it had received the approach but had not examined it and could not say whether the review would lead to a transaction. On Nov. 6, Ynet reported that Israir Chief Executive Uri Sirkis told employees the assessment was preliminary.
Sirkis outlined a possible combined fleet of five wide-body and 15 narrow-body aircraft, with a target of 3.5 million passengers annually by 2030, Ynet reported. The figures describe a possible plan, not terms agreed by the companies.
Globes reported that Arkia’s owners, the Nakash Group, said shareholders were looking at ways to restore the privately held airline’s business and considering options in Israel and abroad. Arkia does not publish its financial results. Calcalist reported that Arkia management said day-to-day operations had not changed.
Globes and The Times of Israel reported that Arkia lost about $30 million in the first nine months of 2026. The two outlets also reported a possible full-year loss of $50 million to $60 million, while Ynet cited a separate annual estimate of $30 million to $40 million. The estimates have not been confirmed by Arkia.
Globes and The Times of Israel describe Israir and Arkia as Israel’s second- and third-largest airlines after El Al. Globes reported that Israir could gain Arkia’s route slots, workforce and operational efficiencies. The outlet said the slots could be valuable amid capacity constraints at Ben Gurion Airport and that a deal would remove Israir’s primary competitor.
The Times of Israel reported that a transaction could draw scrutiny from the Israel Competition Authority (ICA). It also reported that Arkia employees demonstrated on Nov. 3 and their union warned of possible industrial action.
Israir’s investor-relations calendar schedules the release of results for the period ended Sept. 30 on Nov. 30.
