The Israeli Ministry of Transportation has offered Emirates the chance to become the world’s first airline to operate a seventh freedom international itinerary between Ben Gurion Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) and New York JFK Airport (JFK). Israel is proposing that the Emirates could base aircraft and crew permanently at Tel Aviv and fly to the US without needing to touch down in Dubai.

First reported by Mako, the unprecedented offer to fly Emirates’ jets on a highly lucrative route to the US also includes a second destination: Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). This stunning proposal comes amidst a protracted service suspension by US Legacy carriers like Delta, United, and American Airlines.

The First Seventh Freedom Flyer?

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The proposed seventh freedom routes would mean that Emirates aircraft and crews would operate standalone flights entirely between NYC and TLV without the flight involving the airline’s home base, Dubai. The offer appears to be part of a wider negotiation to bring Emirates service between Dubai International (DXB) and Tel Aviv back after a service gap of over two years, as One Mile At A Time observed.

Since the October 2023 attacks on Israel by Hamas, the ensuing cycle of conflict restricting air ops in and out of TLV has repeatedly left Israelis stuck in Bangkok. The joint US-Israeli attack on Iran, Operation Epic Fury, which began at the end of February, prompted EL AL to begin offering ‘recovery flights’ after the initial danger passed, with fares capped at $599 to bring travelers back who were stranded after their original itineraries were canceled.

The seventh freedom offer makes sense considering the need to improve regular and affordable air travel for the Israeli Emirates overlapping network. The question is whether it’s worth it to the airline simply so some flyers can skip a layover in Dubai. El Al and Arkia are likely to push back on the plan as well.

Tel Aviv’s Service Gap

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The idea of having an Emirates base in Tel Aviv would benefit consumers who are currently suffering from high airfare caused by the absence of US carriers. El Al and Arkia currently offer the only nonstop, direct flights to the USA. Yet, several legal obstacles would need to be overcome in order to make it possible. Firstly, US and Israeli aviation authorities would need to be updated to permit a foreign operator to conduct business in this manner.

There is also a question of viability and willingness on the part of Emirates. The Gulf region is currently experiencing major disruptions to air service due to the intense air campaign against Iran. Although the intensity of the conflict has subsided in recent weeks, the fighting has not been officially terminated. This represents a major threat to all air traffic in the area and raises questions about the stability and safety that Emirates crews would experience while based in Tel Aviv.

The Cost For Flyers To Israel

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Policy hurdles may still be better than waiting for service from US airlines to return. Direct transatlantic options have become heavily restricted. Delta will be the first to return in September of this year. AA has decided not to begin flying to Tel Aviv again until 2027. United has not confirmed a return date, but the soonest it could return is September, like Delta.

With fewer widebody aircraft arriving at Ben Gurion Airport, premium international capacity has plummeted. The lack of competition has given El Al a functional monopoly on primary routes. Israel’s competition regulators have actively penalized the flag carrier for excessive wartime fare hikes. The same duopoly issue for flyers to NYC has also impacted Israelis going to Thailand for leisure travel.

While Emirates currently captures a massive share of Israeli travelers heading to Thailand via a layover in Dubai, it misses out on a premium demographic that refuses to fly itineraries with connections. According to data from the Times of Israel, more than 400,000 Israelis visit Thailand annually, creating a dense, year-round flow of tourists. The Tel Aviv to Bangkok route is uniquely profitable because it lacks the fierce competition seen on European or North American routes.