El Al Israel Airlines is sharpening its global ambitions with a sweeping network expansion that positions South Korea alongside Vietnam, Italy, Switzerland, Denmark, the Philippines, and Croatia as pillars of a new growth strategy built on direct flights, stronger regional hubs, and a broader international footprint. Announced in early February 2026, the plan outlines nine new routes, including landmark services to Seoul, Hanoi, and Manila, as well as a surge of new European leisure destinations operated by El Al’s subsidiary Sun D’Or.
First Major Expansion Since the 2023 Conflict
The new routes mark El Al’s first large-scale growth move since the conflict that erupted in October 2023, a period that saw capacity cuts, suspended routes, and a broad recalibration of Israel’s aviation sector. With the latest announcement, the airline is signaling renewed confidence in demand for both inbound and outbound travel and in the long-term stability of Israel’s tourism and business environment.
At the heart of the strategy is a commitment to restore and expand Israel’s air links with Asia, a region where El Al’s presence has historically been limited. Before the pandemic and the subsequent conflict, the carrier’s Asia-Pacific network accounted for a small share of its total capacity. Today, with strong demand returning to markets such as Thailand and Japan, El Al is choosing this moment to deepen its reach across the continent.
Executives have framed the expansion as part of a multi-year plan to grow the airline’s global relevance. As traffic rebounds and fleet renewal accelerates, El Al is moving from a stance of consolidation to one of calculated growth, with Asia and secondary European markets taking center stage.
South Korea Joins the Network With New Seoul Service
A headline feature of the plan is the launch of direct flights between Tel Aviv and Seoul, South Korea, restoring a key air bridge that was previously served by Korean Air before being suspended during the 2023 conflict. El Al’s new Seoul route is scheduled to begin in March 2027, subject to regulatory approvals, with three weekly flights operated by Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
The Seoul service has strategic significance that extends beyond tourism. South Korea is a critical partner for Israel in technology, defense, automotive components, and advanced manufacturing. Direct flights are expected to support growth in these sectors by offering faster, more reliable connectivity for business travelers, government delegations, and investors who previously relied on one-stop itineraries through Asian or European hubs.
For leisure travelers, the new route opens a direct gateway to South Korea’s dynamic culture, from K-pop and television dramas to street food and high-tech shopping districts. It also creates a more convenient pathway for South Korean tourists and pilgrims interested in visiting Israel’s religious and historical sites, reinforcing Seoul as a key node in El Al’s emerging Asia strategy.
Vietnam and the Philippines Anchor a Broader Asia Push
South Korea is only one element of a three-pronged expansion in Asia that also includes Vietnam and the Philippines. El Al will launch direct flights from Tel Aviv to Hanoi in October 2026, offering three weekly services initially. Economy-class round-trip fares are expected to start at competitive levels, positioning the airline to challenge existing indirect options via Bangkok, Istanbul, or Gulf hubs.
Hanoi has rapidly gained popularity with Israeli travelers drawn to Vietnam’s landscapes, culinary scene, and value-for-money tourism offerings. El Al’s direct service will sit alongside existing flights operated by Israeli competitor Arkia, effectively turning Vietnam into one of the most accessible Southeast Asian destinations from Israel. The additional capacity and schedule options are likely to encourage more tour operators to package Vietnam into multi-country itineraries that include neighboring Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand.
Manila, meanwhile, will represent El Al’s first-ever direct link to the Philippines, underscoring the airline’s intent to tap into both tourism flows and diaspora travel. The route is planned as a three-times-weekly Dreamliner service, with final launch dates still to be confirmed. For many Filipino nationals working in Israel, as well as their families, a nonstop connection is expected to significantly cut travel times and simplify journeys that currently demand at least one layover.
The Philippines, with its island destinations, coral reefs, and vibrant urban centers, has strong potential as a leisure market for Israelis seeking new sun-and-sea alternatives to more familiar Mediterranean and European resorts. At the same time, the new air bridge is likely to facilitate closer cooperation in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and religious tourism, with Manila serving as a staging point for wider travel across Southeast Asia.
Sun D’Or Drives European Growth to Italy, Switzerland, Denmark and Croatia
While the long-haul headlines belong to Asia, El Al’s European strategy is being powered by Sun D’Or, its leisure-focused subsidiary. As part of the new growth plan, Sun D’Or will roll out direct flights to a string of secondary European cities, notably Catania and Cagliari in Italy, Basel in Switzerland, Copenhagen in Denmark, and Zagreb and Dubrovnik in Croatia.
The Italian island routes to Catania in Sicily and Cagliari in Sardinia, expected to begin in October 2026, are tailored for holidaymakers. Operated by Boeing 737 aircraft several times a week, they will give Israeli travelers direct access to volcanic landscapes, historic coastal towns, and renowned beaches, reinforcing Italy’s status as one of Israel’s most popular outbound destinations. These services complement El Al’s already robust presence in Rome, Milan, and Venice, where flight frequencies are being raised significantly as part of the airline’s broader summer schedule.
Basel, Copenhagen, Zagreb, and Dubrovnik expand El Al’s reach into markets that combine tourism with business and cultural ties. Basel offers a gateway to Switzerland’s pharmaceutical and finance industries, as well as its tri-border region with France and Germany. Copenhagen strengthens connectivity to Scandinavia and appeals to travelers seeking design, gastronomy, and green urban experiences. Zagreb and Dubrovnik, meanwhile, tap into Croatian coastal tourism and heritage sites that have surged in popularity in recent years.
By entrusting these routes to Sun D’Or, El Al can tailor its product and pricing to leisure travelers while using smaller aircraft and seasonal scheduling to match capacity with demand. The model allows the group to grow its European footprint without overextending its long-haul fleet or diluting its premium offering on core business routes.
Network Scale-Up and Fleet Strategy Behind the Expansion
Behind the flurry of new destinations lies a carefully calibrated network and fleet strategy. El Al expects, once the expansion is fully phased in through 2027, to serve around 60 direct destinations from Israel and operate close to 900 weekly flights worldwide. This represents a meaningful increase in both geographic reach and frequency, giving the carrier more options for scheduling, connections, and revenue management.
The network growth is being underpinned by ongoing investments in new aircraft. El Al has continued to expand its fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which form the backbone of its long-haul services, and has placed orders for Boeing 737 MAX jets to modernize and optimize short- and medium-haul operations. These aircraft offer better fuel efficiency, longer range, and more flexibility in matching capacity to route demand, which is crucial when entering new markets such as Manila or secondary European cities.
Financially, the airline has reported improved performance compared with the years immediately following the pandemic, giving management more room to pursue calculated risk. The decision to open three major Asian routes and several new European leisure services reflects confidence that demand from both Israeli travelers and international visitors will continue to grow, despite ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainties.
By spreading its bets across Asia and Europe, El Al aims to reduce overreliance on any single region while creating a more resilient route map. The ability to redeploy aircraft between markets as conditions change will be an important lever in managing future shocks, whether they come from security tensions, fuel price volatility, or shifts in global tourism patterns.
Connecting Israel to New Tourism and Business Corridors
The new direct flights offer more than convenience; they are poised to reshape tourism and trade flows between Israel and key markets in Asia and Europe. Routes to Seoul, Hanoi, and Manila open significant new corridors for cultural exchange, technology collaboration, and investment, establishing Tel Aviv as a more prominent node in regional and intercontinental networks.
For South Korea, direct air links with Israel will enhance opportunities in sectors ranging from semiconductors and electric vehicles to cybersecurity and defense technology. Business delegations that once needed to detour through third-country hubs will have a nonstop bridge, saving time and adding flexibility to itineraries. Tourism boards on both sides are expected to capitalize on the new services with targeted campaigns that highlight city breaks, culinary tourism, and heritage travel.
Vietnam, already on the radar of Israeli backpackers and organized tour groups, is likely to see a further uptick in arrivals as connectivity improves and competition between carriers stimulates attractive fares. Travel companies in Israel are expected to bundle Vietnam with neighboring destinations, while Vietnamese authorities may work to draw more Israeli investment in hospitality, agriculture, and renewable energy.
The Philippines, with its strong diaspora ties to Israel, may benefit from more frequent family visits and easier labor mobility, alongside a rise in vacation travel to well-known island destinations. At the same time, the direct route creates potential for new faith-based itineraries, linking Christian pilgrimage sites in Israel with religious tourism circuits across the Philippines.
Implications for Travelers and Competing Airlines
For travelers, the immediate impact of El Al’s strategy will be more choice, new destinations, and, in many cases, shorter travel times. Nonstop flights from Tel Aviv to Seoul, Hanoi, and Manila will eliminate at least one layover from typical routes, reducing journey times by several hours and simplifying connections for those combining multiple countries in a single trip.
The expansion is also likely to intensify competition on several fronts. On Asia routes, El Al’s new services will compete with foreign carriers that currently carry a large share of Israel-bound traffic via their hubs. That competition could translate into sharper pricing, more promotional fares, and added pressure on airlines that have relied on connecting passengers from Israel to fill seats on flights to major Asian gateways.
In Europe, Sun D’Or’s entry into cities such as Catania, Cagliari, Basel, Copenhagen, Zagreb, and Dubrovnik will challenge established European and low-cost carriers that have built strong positions in Mediterranean and city-break markets. Israeli travelers, who are highly price-sensitive on short-haul routes, stand to gain from an expanded menu of direct options and seasonal frequency peaks during school holidays and summer vacations.
The broader Israeli aviation market may also feel the effects, as competitors adjust capacity and scheduling in response to El Al’s moves. Regional players and low-cost operators could pivot to underserved airports or increase frequencies on core routes to defend their market share. For now, however, El Al’s announcement underscores its intent to reclaim a leadership role in shaping how Israelis and international visitors move in and out of the country.
Positioning El Al as Israel’s Global Flag Carrier
Collectively, the new services to South Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines, Italy, Switzerland, Denmark, and Croatia reflect a clear strategic message: El Al intends to be more than a regional airline centered on a handful of trunk routes. By pushing into new Asian capitals and weaving a denser web of European leisure destinations, the carrier is working to reassert its status as Israel’s primary global flag carrier.
The emphasis on direct flights is central to that goal. Nonstop services offer not only time savings but also symbolic value, signaling close ties between Israel and partner countries. For national tourism boards, chambers of commerce, and diplomatic missions, the inauguration of a direct route often serves as a catalyst for new cooperation and promotional efforts, multiplying the impact beyond the aviation sector itself.
As these routes gradually come online between late 2026 and 2027, travelers will gain a clearer picture of how El Al’s renewed strategy translates into day-to-day options and experiences. For now, the carrier’s decision to place South Korea alongside Vietnam, Italy, Switzerland, Denmark, the Philippines, and Croatia in its latest wave of expansion sends a strong message about where it sees the next chapter of growth: in a more connected, multi-directional network linking Israel with both established partners and fast-rising markets across Asia and Europe.