El Al was prepared to launch three weekly flights to Vietnam this coming winter, but according to an update from Dudi Rubinstein, a dispute over Israeli security requirements is delaying the opening of the route. This raises the obvious question: if so, how is Arkia already operating direct flights to Hanoi? The explanation lies in the aircraft used for these flights. Vietnam has become one of the most sought-after destinations among Israeli travelers in recent years, and the announcement of direct flights from Israel to Hanoi was met with great enthusiasm. Arkia was the first to do so, and on January 5, 2026, the first direct flight between Tel Aviv and Hanoi took off. The route significantly shortened the journey to Vietnam and saved passengers the need for a layover in a third country. (Embassies) However, El Al also wanted to join the celebration, and on a large scale.
El Al Already Planned Three Flights a Week
In May, it was announced by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam that El Al plans to launch its direct route to Hanoi on October 24, 2026. The plan was: three flights each week using Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, as part of a winter flight schedule that would last until March 2027. (Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam) According to Dudi Rubinstein’s update, the company even carried out significant operational and logistical preparations for the opening of the route, including preparations in the field of kosher food. But then the problem arose.
The Obstacle: Security Requirements
According to Dudi’s update, the obstacle currently preventing El Al from implementing the plan is not related to demand or the economic viability of the route – but rather to security arrangements. Flights by Israeli companies operated with Israeli aircraft are subject to a unique security system, and the relevant requirements are coordinated with the authorities in the destination country. According to Rubinstein, in the case of Vietnam, the necessary agreements have not yet been reached for the allocation of space and conditions required for operating the Israeli security system. As a result, he says, the operation of El Al’s route has been postponed for now.
Wait, So How Is Arkia Already Flying There?
And this is exactly the interesting question in the story. If there is a security issue preventing El Al from operating a direct flight to Hanoi – how did Arkia manage to open the same route back in January? According to Dudi Rubinstein’s explanation, the answer lies in the way Arkia operates some of its long-haul routes. He claims that the company uses leased aircraft operated by foreign companies for some of this activity. In other words, the passenger buys a ticket from Arkia and may encounter Israeli crew members, but the flight operator and the aircraft itself are foreign. In such a situation, according to the explanation, different requirements apply to the operation than those that apply to a flight conducted with an Israeli aircraft from El Al. And this is the difference that may allow Arkia to reach Hanoi while El Al encounters an obstacle.
Vietnam Actually Wanted El Al
What makes the story even more interesting is that just a few months ago, the picture looked completely different. In May, representatives of the Vietnamese Embassy and the country’s trade representatives in Israel held a meeting with El Al’s management to promote the opening of the route. In the official Vietnamese publication, it was stated that the Vietnamese side assists El Al in promoting the plan and the necessary procedures, including issues of flight approvals and visas for crew members. (moit.gov.vn) The route even already appears on El Al’s website, where a dedicated page for flights from Tel Aviv to Hanoi and prices for the coming months can be found. Therefore, if the route is indeed postponed now, it represents a significant change compared to the plans published just a few months ago.
And What Does This Mean for Passengers?
For the Israeli traveler, the main implication is competition. The entry of El Al into the route with three weekly flights would have significantly increased the number of direct seats between Israel and Vietnam. More flights and more companies competing for the same passenger may increase the options available – and at certain times also put pressure on prices. Arkia, for its part, continues to deepen its activity in Vietnam. Beyond the route to Hanoi launched at the beginning of the year, the company announced a plan to open a direct route to Ho Chi Minh City in October. (Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam)
So Did El Al Cancel Vietnam?
Not necessarily. According to the information provided, it is currently a postponement and not a final abandonment of the destination. If a solution is found that allows meeting the security requirements and reaching agreements with local authorities, the possibility of opening the route may return to the table. And this might be the most interesting part of the story: the demand exists, the aircraft are available, and the plan was already ready – but ultimately, it is the security issue that might keep El Al’s planes out of Hanoi for now. To book flights on the Flight Hunter website at the best prices, click here To join the WhatsApp group and receive updates from Flight Hunter, click here Flight Hunter
