At the peak of tourist season: How Israeli companies operate charter flights

Israeli airlines Arkia and Israir operate about half of their aircraft fleets on charter flights during the peak tourist season. These flights do not require an Israeli security guard on board, and security screening relies solely on foreign airports. The Shin Bet has sent repeated warnings to Minister Miri Regev, the Transportation Ministry, and the National Security Council, but the transportation minister rejected the recommendation to transfer handling to the Civil Aviation Authority.

Israeli airlines Arkia and Israir operate about half of their aircraft fleets on wet-lease charter flights during the peak tourist season. Sun D'Or uses this method at a lower rate of about 6%. On charter flights, there is no requirement for an Israeli security guard on board, and security screening at the foreign airport does not meet Israeli questioning and profiling standards, relying solely on the local airport. According to company data, in July 2026, 70% of Arkia flights and 56% of Israir flights were chartered. In the second quarter of 2026 (April-June), 61% of Arkia flights and 47% of Israir flights were on chartered aircraft, over 3,000 flights per company. The Shin Bet sent three separate warning documents to Minister Miri Regev, the Transportation Ministry, and the National Security Council, pointing out the gap in screening charter flights. The Shin Bet recommended transferring handling to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), but Minister Regev did not accept the recommendation. In response, Israir stated that the policy was presented to the prime minister and approved by him, and that foreign crews undergo checks upon entering Ben Gurion Airport. Arkia stated that this is a common model operated under strict requirements and in coordination with authorized bodies.