TEL AVIV (VINnews) — Israeli airline Arkia said Tuesday it will begin the first nonstop flights between Tel Aviv and Manila on Jan. 3, 2027, expanding long-haul service from Ben Gurion Airport.

The seasonal route will operate once a week from January through April. Flights will leave Tel Aviv on Sunday afternoons and return from Manila on Monday mornings. Eastbound travel time is about 11 hours; the westbound flight is about 12 hours and 20 minutes.

Arkia will fly the route on a wide-body Airbus A330 provided by GullivAir. The aircraft will have 268 economy seats and a 19-seat business cabin with fully flat beds. Business-class passengers will receive extra baggage allowance, amenity kits, lounge access and meals designed by Arkia executive chef Shahaf Shabtay.

The announcement comes as foreign carriers gradually restore service to Israel. United Airlines and Delta Air Lines restarted flights to Tel Aviv last week.

One-way fares are expected to start at $750 in economy and $1,800 in business class, according to reports on the airline’s announcement. Arkia is Israel’s second-largest carrier after El Al.

Arkia CEO Oz Berlowitz said the Manila service is part of a broader plan to deepen the airline’s presence in the Far East after routes to destinations including New York, Bangkok, Phuket and Hanoi. Philippine Ambassador to Israel Aileen Mendiola said the link could support tourism, cargo and talks toward a free trade agreement. Nearly 50,000 Filipinos work in Israel, and there is currently no direct air service between the two countries.