Israel's answer to the US president's Air Force One, Wing of Zion, is a specially modified Boeing 767-300ER that carries the country's prime minister and president on official trips abroad.
Known in Hebrew as Knaf Tzion, the government aircraft combines secure communications, defence systems and dedicated spaces for Israel's leadership aboard a converted commercial jet.
The plane is back in focus this week as Benjamin Netanyahu flies to the United States for the UN General Assembly, with Wing of Zion avoiding New York's JFK Airport and landing instead in New Jersey.
What Is Netanyahu's Wing of Zion?
Wing of Zion was conceived as a permanent government aircraft rather than requiring Israeli leaders to charter and modify commercial aircraft for individual overseas trips.
The used Boeing 767 arrived in Israel in 2016 and underwent years of conversion and testing by Israel Aerospace Industries. It eventually emerged as a purpose-built VIP aircraft capable of carrying the prime minister or president, senior officials, security personnel and accompanying staff.
Roughly a third of the aircraft was adapted for the country's leader, with a bedroom, small shower and working areas. A boardroom can also be converted for medical use. Secure communications allow officials to continue working during long-haul journeys.
How Much Did Wing of Zion Cost?
Wing of Zion has had a turbulent history on the ground.
A 2022 State Comptroller report found problems with planning, cost estimates, security requirements and delays. The Knesset's State Control Committee said in 2024 that the project's original budget was NIS 590 million (£146 million or $193 million) before costs increased significantly.
Annual maintenance was put at around NIS 8 million (£1.9 million or $2.6 million), while the average cost of a flight was estimated at NIS 5.2 million (£1.2 million or $1.7 million).
The aircraft also spent years largely unused. Former prime minister Yair Lapid opposed operating a dedicated government jet, and Wing of Zion remained in storage during the Bennett-Lapid government before being returned to operational readiness following Netanyahu's return to office.
When Did Wing of Zion Start Flying?
Wing of Zion made an operational systems-check flight to Athens in February 2024 before beginning its first transatlantic mission that July, ahead of Netanyahu's visit to Washington.
That trip exposed another limitation. The converted aircraft was then authorised for only 80 passengers, forcing equipment and an advance team to travel separately before the plane returned for Netanyahu and his delegation.
Since then, the jet has become a regular feature of Netanyahu's overseas travel, even as questions over costs and limited use have continued.
Why Netanyahu's Plane Is Avoiding JFK
Its latest flight has brought Wing of Zion back into the headlines.
Netanyahu is travelling to the New York area for his UN General Assembly address on Thursday, but his aircraft is avoiding JFK and landing in New Jersey. Israeli reporting said security officials were concerned New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani could seek to disrupt the plane remaining at JFK during the visit.
Mamdani has said the ICC arrest warrant against Netanyahu should be honoured, while acknowledging that he does not have the power as mayor to arrest him. Netanyahu has rejected the ICC allegations and accused Mamdani of supporting Hamas, which Mamdani has rejected.
The trip itself has also been dramatically shortened. Netanyahu is expected to address the UN and return to Israel the same evening, while a planned Texas stop involving Elon Musk has been dropped.
That makes the latest Wing of Zion journey unusual, but the aircraft's story stretches well beyond this week's flight: a costly, years-long attempt to give Israel's leaders their own secure airborne command and transport system, after decades of relying largely on chartered aircraft.
