Since 2008, Arkia Airlines has been flying its single, 122-seat E195 on scheduled and charter flights to Europe from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport, 15 km southeast of the city. Thanks to a recent decision by the Israeli CAA, the airline has won approval to operate its E195 from the city’s more central Sde Dov Airport (SDV).

The ruling lifts the longstanding turboprop-only restriction for commercial airline flights at the airport. Arkia was able to demonstrate that the E195’s noise levels were compliant with the limits defined by the SDV airport authority and the CAA. SDV is not only convenient because of its proximity to downtown Tel Aviv, it is also the airport that serves the country’s highest volume city pair. For years, Arkia’s Dash 7 and ATR72 turboprops have been operating between SDV and the Red Sea resort city of Eilat, 170 nm to the south.

Flying from SDV will bring benefits to both Arkia and its passengers. Travelers will be able to fly in jet comfort and the airline can double the number of available seats per departure.

The E195 at SDV presents greater efficiency for Arkia. It could plan a combination of short and long-haul flying that would reduce unscheduled time between European flights and increase daily utilization.

Around the world, airlines continue to discover the power of E-Jets.