The Israeli carrier, El Al Israel Airlines, has announced it will begin direct flights to Hanoi starting October 2026. This new route marks their entry into the Vietnamese market and is part of their broader strategy to expand their global network after nearly three years focusing on Europe, North America, and Asia. The airline plans to operate three weekly flights between Tel Aviv and Hanoi, which is expected to bolster tourism and trade exchanges between the two nations.
In addition to Hanoi, El Al intends to launch flights to Seoul in March 2027, with plans for Manila to follow later. The airline's subsidiary Sundor will also add six new European destinations, including Copenhagen, Sardinia, Sicily, Zagreb, Dubrovnik, and Basel, starting from mid-2026. These developments reflect El Al's shift into a renewed phase of growth after consolidating its core routes during regional uncertainty.
Significance of the Expansion
The expansion underscores Vietnam’s rising popularity among international carriers amid increasing travel demand. The new direct flights are expected to enhance connectivity, facilitating tourism, business, and people-to-people exchanges. This development also follows the recent introduction of a Tel Aviv–Hanoi route by another airline, Akira, earlier this year, making El Al the second airline to serve the route in 2026.
The move signifies strengthened bilateral ties and highlights Vietnam's strategic position in Asia for Middle Eastern airlines, promising economic and cultural benefits. Industry analysts view this as a positive outlook for increased cross-regional cooperation and commerce.
