Israir has entered the transatlantic market for the first time, officially launching nonstop service between Ben Gurion Airport and New York’s JFK Airport.

The new route marks a major expansion for the Israeli airline, which is now operating long-haul flights to the United States using its newly introduced Airbus A330-200 wide-body aircraft. The launch follows the completion of the necessary regulatory approvals from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Transportation.

The addition of Israir to the Israel–New York market also introduces a new competitor on a route that, until now, has had relatively limited airline competition. El Al has long dominated nonstop service between Israel and New York, while other carriers have also operated in the market.

For travelers, Israir’s entry could potentially bring increased competition and, hopefully, more competitive airfares. With another airline offering nonstop service between Ben Gurion and JFK, passengers may have more choices and greater leverage when comparing prices, particularly during busy travel periods.

The new service is expected to provide another option for the large number of Israelis and American travelers who regularly fly between Israel and the New York area, adding capacity and competition to one of the busiest Israel–U.S. travel markets.