Home » AIRLINE NEWS » South Korea Joins Vietnam, Italy, Switzerland, Denmark, Philippines, And Croatia As El Al Israel Airlines Unveils Revolutionary Growth Strategy With New Direct Flights And Global Reach
Published on
February 16, 2026
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South Korea joins Vietnam, Italy, Switzerland, Denmark, Philippines, and Croatia as El Al Israel Airlines unveils its revolutionary growth strategy, expanding its global network with new direct flights and long-haul routes. This ambitious expansion is driven by El Al’s commitment to enhancing global connectivity, providing passengers with more direct access to key international destinations. By tapping into high-demand markets across Asia and Europe, the airline is positioning itself as a pivotal player in international travel, facilitating tourism, business, and trade between Israel and these rapidly growing regions. The strategic addition of cities like Hanoi and Seoul to its network underscores El Al’s vision of becoming a global leader in air travel and connectivity.
El Al Israel Airlines is embarking on a significant expansion of its global network, marking a major milestone in the airline’s growth strategy. As part of its new development phase, the airline is set to introduce a series of direct flights to high-demand international destinations, enhancing connectivity and boosting tourism and business exchanges across the globe. This new phase follows a period of consolidation and a focus on key routes in Europe, North America, and Asia.
New Long-Haul Flights to Vietnam and South Korea
Starting from October 2026, El Al will launch a long-haul direct service linking Tel Aviv, Israel, to Hanoi, Vietnam’s bustling capital. The service is expected to operate three round-trip flights per week, offering travelers a direct connection between the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
This move comes in response to the growing popularity of Vietnam as a key travel destination, with increasing numbers of tourists and business visitors seeking easy access to the country. The Hanoi route will not only cater to tourists but will also facilitate trade exchanges between Vietnam and Israel, creating new opportunities for both countries. The introduction of the route further underscores Vietnam’s rising prominence in the global tourism and business sectors.
In addition to the Hanoi service, El Al will also launch a new long-haul flight to Seoul, South Korea, in March 2027. This new route will connect Tel Aviv to one of Asia’s most dynamic cities, opening up exciting travel opportunities for tourists and business professionals alike. The frequency of flights to Seoul will mirror that of the Hanoi route, ensuring a strong presence in the region.
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Plans for New European Destinations
Alongside its long-haul expansion, El Al’s subsidiary, Sundor, is set to introduce six new European destinations starting in May 2026. These new routes include Copenhagen, Denmark; Sardinia and Sicily, Italy; Zagreb and Dubrovnik, Croatia; and Basel, Switzerland. Each of these European cities has been chosen to cater to both leisure and business travelers, enhancing El Al’s connectivity across Europe and providing travelers with new, convenient options for direct flights from Israel.
The addition of Copenhagen, with its strong appeal as a cultural and business hub, will allow El Al to tap into Denmark’s vibrant tourism market. Similarly, Sardinia and Sicily, two of Italy’s most sought-after destinations, will provide travelers with direct access to Italy’s picturesque islands, renowned for their stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage.
Zagreb and Dubrovnik, Croatia’s prominent tourist cities, are also set to be added to the network. Both cities have seen a surge in popularity among travelers, and El Al’s direct routes will undoubtedly cater to the growing demand for travel to this increasingly popular European destination.
Basel, Switzerland’s cultural epicenter, rounds out the list of new European destinations. With its proximity to France and Germany, Basel is an important economic and cultural hub, making it a valuable addition to El Al’s European portfolio.
A Strategic Response to Market Demand
The expansion of El Al’s route network is a direct response to increasing market demand and the growing interest in both leisure and business travel. By launching these new routes, El Al aims to strengthen its position as a leading carrier in both long-haul and European markets. The airline’s strategic decision to expand into new destinations also reflects the broader trends in the aviation industry, where airlines are looking to capitalize on emerging markets and new opportunities for growth.
El Al’s move into Asia, with the launch of flights to Hanoi and Seoul, highlights the airline’s commitment to expanding its presence in one of the world’s most dynamic regions. Vietnam, in particular, has seen a surge in travel demand as tourists flock to experience its rich history, culture, and natural beauty. South Korea, too, continues to be a popular destination for both tourism and business, particularly in the fields of technology and innovation. By offering direct flights to these destinations, El Al will not only increase accessibility for travelers but also contribute to the growth of tourism and trade between Israel and these fast-growing economies.
The new European routes, on the other hand, will help El Al solidify its position in the highly competitive European market. Cities like Copenhagen, Sardinia, Sicily, Zagreb, Dubrovnik, and Basel have long been popular with travelers, and by providing direct flights to these destinations, El Al will be able to meet the increasing demand for seamless travel across Europe. The airline’s expanded European network will also enhance connectivity between Israel and some of Europe’s most popular tourist regions, creating opportunities for both inbound and outbound tourism.
Strengthening Global Connectivity
This expansion is also part of El Al’s broader strategy to strengthen global connectivity, making it easier for travelers to access a range of destinations worldwide. The introduction of new long-haul and European routes is expected to stimulate tourism, improve business travel options, and facilitate people-to-people exchanges, further cementing El Al’s reputation as a key player in the global aviation industry.
By offering more direct flights, El Al will provide passengers with greater convenience and flexibility when traveling to and from Israel. The airline’s expansion into new markets also reflects its broader vision of providing enhanced connectivity between Israel and the rest of the world, facilitating cultural exchanges, tourism, and economic collaboration.
The new routes are expected to bring significant benefits to Israel’s tourism industry as well, providing Israeli tourists with more direct options for traveling to Asia and Europe. With increased access to sought-after destinations, Israel’s travel market is expected to experience a boost, attracting more international visitors and stimulating economic growth in key sectors.
A New Era of Growth for El Al Israel Airlines
El Al’s bold expansion marks the beginning of a new growth phase for the airline. After a challenging period of navigating regional security uncertainties and a focus on core routes, the airline is now positioning itself for future success with a more diverse and extensive global network. The addition of new routes to Asia and Europe not only enhances El Al’s competitive edge but also demonstrates the airline’s commitment to meeting the evolving needs of its passengers.
The airline’s strategy is also a response to the growing demand for long-haul travel and direct flight options. As global travel continues to recover and expand, airlines like El Al are positioning themselves to take advantage of new opportunities and offer passengers more choices and flexibility.
El Al’s expansion into these key markets is a reflection of the airline’s resilience and adaptability in the face of a rapidly changing aviation landscape. With a focus on providing high-quality services, new destinations, and a stronger global presence, El Al is poised to continue its growth and success in the years ahead.
South Korea joins Vietnam, Italy, Switzerland, Denmark, Philippines, and Croatia as El Al Israel Airlines unveils its revolutionary growth strategy, expanding its network with new direct flights. This move aims to enhance global connectivity, meeting growing demand for seamless travel between Israel and key international destinations.
The expansion of El Al Israel Airlines’ route network is a testament to the airline’s strategic foresight and commitment to meeting the needs of the global travel market. By launching new long-haul routes to Vietnam and South Korea and introducing new European destinations, El Al is ensuring that it remains a key player in the global aviation industry. This expansion will not only benefit travelers but will also contribute to the growth of tourism and business between Israel and the rest of the world. With its new routes and renewed growth strategy, El Al Israel Airlines is ushering in a new era of global connectivity and travel opportunities for passengers worldwide.
