Israeli Airport Workers' Union Announces Bid to Buy Cash-Strapped Airline Arkia

The Israeli airport workers’ union has disclosed its intent to bid for the cash-strapped Arkia Israel Airlines, according to Haaretz. The union’s announcement signals an interested party stepping forward amid Arkia’s ongoing cash-flow difficulties as its owners seek new ownership to stabilize the airline’s finances.

Haaretz notes that multiple parties have expressed interest in Arkia, including fellow Israeli carrier Israir and a group of investors led by businessman Haim Sakal. The report does not provide further particulars about the proposed bids, timelines, or the conditions attached to any potential acquisition.

In related corroboration from The Jerusalem Post, Arkia announced a collaboration with Israeli eSIM provider Voye Global to offer discounted mobile data packages for travelers abroad. The initiative, disclosed on November 2, centers on global and regional data plans and is aimed at international travel in the United States, leveraging eSIM technology to avoid physical SIM changes.

According to The Jerusalem Post, the Arkia–Voye Global partnership enables data services in more than 130 countries and supports connections across multiple networks in each destination. Discounts on the data plans are reported to range from roughly 20% to 36% off standard rates, though the posts do not specify exact package prices or the duration of the promotional rates.

The Jerusalem Post’s coverage also mentions that the connectivity service is intended to simplify international travel for Arkia passengers and includes 24-hour customer support in Hebrew, Russian, and Arabic. The program is described as reusable for future trips, although the outlets do not elaborate on rollout timelines or eligibility criteria beyond the general offer for Arkia customers.

Further reporting from The Jerusalem Post indicates Israir is in preliminary talks to acquire Arkia, a move disclosed by Israir’s chief executive in a staff letter. Israir’s leadership views a potential combination as strengthening its ability to compete with foreign carriers operating in Israel, arguing that a merger would leverage existing investments in infrastructure, technology, and future development.

The articles describe Arkia as continuing to operate normally and maintaining operational stability during what they label as a period of financial vulnerability. Arkia’s owners have characterized the situation as a “crisis,” while Israir contends that a combination would enhance competitive standing rather than constitute a takeover.

Market context provided by The Jerusalem Post notes that Israir currently holds about 12% of passenger shares at Ben-Gurion Airport, with Arkia accounting for around 11% so far in 2026. Both airlines have traditionally served domestic routes and Europe, with Arkia expanding to longer-haul destinations including New York and Asia, and plans for the Philippines beginning in January.

Overall, the reporting lines show a convergence of potential strategic moves: the union’s bid for Arkia, Israir’s preliminary talks to merge, and Arkia’s ongoing partnership initiatives—all occurring amid Arkia’s cash-flow challenges and a broader competitive push in the Israeli aviation market. The sources differ on specifics—Haaretz centers on the bids and ownership dynamics, while The Jerusalem Post covers the Voye Global partnership and Israir’s contemplated acquisition—without providing a unified timetable or a definitive outcome.