Low-cost carrier Israir will fly to New York starting next year, having received initial approval from the U.S. Transportation Department, the airline announced on Monday.

The move, which comes after local rival Arkia inaugurated flights to New York in February, will make Israir the fifth carrier to offer non-stop service on the lucrative transatlantic route, along with El Al, United and Delta.

Israir, which flew to the United States last decade, plans to offer six weekly flights to New York by next Passover, a high season for travel.

Founded in 1989 as a small domestic carrier, Israir, which operates eight aircraft, will be leasing an Airbus 330 aircraft to service the route to New York from Ben-Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv.

Owned by the Rami Levy Group, best known for its discount supermarket chain, the airline currently services various European destinations as well as domestic flights to the Israeli Red Sea resort city of Eilat.

Both United and Delta have resumed service to Israel, ending the monopoly Israel’s flagship carrier, El Al, had on the transatlantic route through most of the 18-month Swords of Iron war, which saw fares skyrocket.

American Airlines remains the only one of the big three U.S. carriers not to have restarted service to Israel.

Image -  Nati Shohat/Flash90