Arkia Israel Airlines - Israel Airports

ARKIA - SIX DECADES OF AVIATION AND TOURISM

ARKIA TAKES OFF
In 1949, the first elements of the Israel Defense Forces arrive at Umm Rash-Rash on the shores of the Red Sea and raise the Israeli flag for the first time. Israel's southern-most city, Eilat, is established, and "Eilata Airlines" is created in order to maintain direct air service between Eilat and the center of the country. Eilata Airlines, jointly owned by Israel's Labor Federation and EL AL Israel Airlines, evolves into Aviron, and then Arkia Airlines. A converted transport aircraft, the Curtis Commando, operates two flights weekly and Arkia carries 13,485 passengers in its first year of service.

THE 1950's - EILAT IS DEVELOPED
Eilat and Arkia grow after the Sinai Campaign of 1956 ends, and the Country enjoys a new sense of security. Passenger traffic increases and Arkia retires its Commando Aircraft in favor of the larger DC-3 Dakota models obtained from the Israeli Air Force. Flight frequencies grow to two flights daily and Arkia's fleet is expanded as the airline carries over 70,000 passengers annually by the end of the decade.

THE 1960's -NEW DESTINATIONS ARE ADDED
Modern Hotels are opened in Eilat and the city attracts tourism to its Vacation Shores. Arkia introduces jet prop Herald model airplanes to its fleet and in 1967, as the Six Day War ends, Arkia adds new destinations to its flight schedule; Jerusalem, Sharm-el-Sheikh and Santa Caterina. Kanaf Arkia, a subsidiary company is established, which operates a fleet of smaller aircrafts. By the end of the decade, Arkia operates daily scheduled flights across the country, from Rosh Pina in the North to Ophir in the South.

THE 1970's- YEARS OF UPS AND DOWNS
Arkia experiences a decrease in passenger traffic as a result of the Yom Kippur War in 1973. By 1975 tourism to Israel reawakens and brings with it a sharp passenger growth for Arkia. Arkia orders jet-powered aircrafts in 1977, however the return of Sinai in 1978, forces the airline to reduce the number of its destinations, which has a negative effect on its financial situation. The commitment to purchase new jet aircrafts causes Arkia's financial position to worsen.

THE 1980's - A NEW ERA EMERGES
Arkia is sold to private owners and the airline takes off in a new direction. Many changes are made in the company's operations, allowing Arkia to expand in new directions and complete its financial recovery. During this period, Arkia experiences new growth in passenger traffic causing the airline to expand its fleet of airplanes, and employ over 600 employees. To further complement its primary operations involving internal flights, Arkia expands its operations into two new directions: International Charter Flights, and Aircraft Maintenance.

THE 1990's - ARKIA BECOMES THE LARGEST AVIATION AND TOURISM COMPANY IN ISRAEL
Arkia experiences planned and controlled growth and turns into a global company. It establishes subsidiary companies with interests in a wide range of Aviation and Tourism activities in Israel and around the world. Under a holding company, Knafaim, a share offering in Arkia stock is floated on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange in 1993, with extraordinary success. The Company lists ownership of 40 aircrafts in its expanding fleet.

THE 21st CENTURY - ALWAYS LOOKING TOWARDS THE FUTURE
Arkia proudly operates its fleet of aircrafts around the clock. It currently operates a large number of domestic flights daily, to a wide range of destinations, including: Eilat, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Ben Gurion Airport, Rosh Pina and Kiryat Shmoneh. It's possible to fly from Kiryat Shmoneh in the North to Eilat in the South in under two hours. Arkia also performs International Charter Flights, with daily flight operations to destinations in the Mediterranean Region as well as to Europe. The Company continues to expand its operations and to acquire new companies in order to position itself as an important and leading factor in the Aviation and Tourism Industries internationally. The grant of an operating license to perform scheduled flight services to Jordan marks the turning point of Arkia's evolution into an official flag carrier for the performance of scheduled international flights. As proof of its growing role in the operation of domestic and international flights, Arkia currently maintains offices in ten Israeli cities, and more than 20 offices in cities around the world.