A Boro Park real estate investor is in advanced negotiations to purchase Arkia, the struggling Israeli airline, in a deal that could bring major changes to the company and end its flights on Shabbos.

R’ Ezra Ungar, a 36-year-old chassidishe businessman active in New York real estate, is behind the acquisition effort, Kikar Hashabbat reported. The talks are said to be at an advanced stage, though the purchase price and structure of the deal have not yet been released.

People close to R’ Ungar say the purchase is being pursued as a business move and also out of concern over the public chillul Shabbos caused by Israeli airlines operating on Shabbos. A relative said he was pained by the large-scale Shabbos desecration in Israeli aviation and wanted to help create a serious airline option that would not fly on Shabbos.

Arkia is one of Israel’s veteran airlines, operating domestic and international routes, and has struggled in recent years amid changes in the Israeli aviation market. If the acquisition is completed, it would place the airline under chassidishe ownership and could make Arkia one of the largest airlines in the world operating without Shabbos flights.

Further details about the future of the airline, including routes, management, and operating changes, have not yet been announced. Arkia declined to comment on the sale talks.