Bangkok, 27 November 2025 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) welcomed the inaugural Arkia Israeli Airlines direct service from Tel Aviv to Bangkok, with flight IZ591 arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport on 26 November at 15.50 Hrs. The new route represents a strategic expansion of Thailand’s long-haul air access and directly supports TAT’s airline focus strategy to grow high-potential markets through strengthened direct connectivity.
The welcome ceremony was presided over by Ms. Pornsiri Chardpornpun, Director Europe Market Division, and Ms. Meytal Dahan Mizrahi, Chief Operating Officer of Arkia Israeli Airlines, together with Thailand’s public and private-sector tourism partners in extending a warm reception to the airline and its passengers.
Ms. Pornsiri said the launch of Arkia’s direct service enhances Thailand’s long-haul network and advances TAT’s airline focus strategy by creating additional access from a high-value market with resilient travel demand. She added that direct connectivity is essential to reinforcing Thailand’s global competitiveness and ensuring the kingdom remains a preferred long-stay destination for quality travellers.
Arkia Israeli Airlines is Israel’s second-largest carrier and a longstanding player in the country’s aviation and travel industry. The airline launches the Tel Aviv–Bangkok route with a 286-seat Airbus A330-200, operating two flights weekly on Mondays and Wednesdays.
The new service introduces an important alternative to the national carrier El Al Israel Airlines, which previously operated the only direct flights between the two countries, thereby expanding travel options and supporting continued market growth. TAT and Arkia are also preparing joint campaigns to further strengthen demand from the Israeli market.
Israel remains one of Thailand’s strongest and fastest-growing long-haul source markets. Between 1 January and 17 November 2025, Thailand recorded 356,446 Israeli arrivals, up nearly 50 per cent year-on-year and the highest among Middle Eastern markets.
Travel rebounded rapidly following the reopening of Israeli airspace in mid-2025, with demand holding steady throughout the year. The country consistently ranks among the top ten for advanced airline bookings during the October 2025–March 2026 period, reflecting sustained confidence in Thailand.
Israeli visitors are high-value, long-stay travellers, averaging 86,406 Baht spending per trip with an average stay of 19.17 days. The market is dominated by FIT travellers, many visiting for the first time, with strong preferences for extended stays, family-oriented travel, wellness experiences, and work-and-travel lifestyles.
TAT projects that arrivals from Israel will exceed 400,000 by the end of 2025, generating an estimated 34.56 billion Baht in tourism revenue.
