NAIA Welcomes New Direct Flights to China, Israel, Boosting International Connectivity

MANILA, Philippines — A wider international coverage is coming into the country’s main gateway through early-2027, as Chinese and Israeli carriers are arriving to mount direct flights to unserved markets. The Israel Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ICCP) yesterday said Israeli carrier Arkia Israeli Airlines would be connecting Manila and Tel Aviv starting Jan. 3, 2027. ICCP said Arkia would fly between the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and the Ben Gurion International Airport on a weekly basis, the first and lone direct service in the corridor. Based on Arkia’s website, the airline will deploy an Airbus A330-200 for the flight. The trip will last for more than 12 hours, matching the duration of a Manila-Seattle connection. ICCP said the launch of a direct flight would make it easier for Filipino and Israeli businessmen and tourists to travel between the two countries. The flight is also expected to boost commercial and economic opportunities for the Philippines and Israel. Separately, NAIA operator New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC) announced that Air Changan is opening at least nine charter flights between Manila and Yichang. NNIC said Air Changan would assign a Boeing 737-800, equipped with 189 seats, for the flight that would expand Manila’s line to China. Air Changan, a regional airline, is chartering the flights between Sept. 15 and Oct. 22 in time for autumn. NAIA yesterday also welcomed direct flights to Riyadh from Saudi Arabia’s second flag carrier Riyadh Air. A Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, capable of 290 passengers, has been assigned for daily service. Under private control, NAIA is seeking more flights to international cities, forcing out turboprop aircraft to make way for wide-body jets. By 2027, American carrier Delta Air Lines is making a return to Manila, putting up weekly flights to Los Angeles. In August, NNIC signed an airport use agreement (AUA) with flag carrier Philippine Airlines to harmonize their performance metrics, particularly on on-time rates. The AUA will cover more airlines soon, as NNIC hopes to improve NAIA’s punctuality in a bid to flip the airport’s tarnished image of being delayed always. Source: Philstar Business