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El Al Israel Airlines has announced an agreement with Boeing for up to 31 Boeing 737 MAX-family aircraft to replace its aging 737NG fleet.
An all-Boeing operator for decades, El Al announced on June 10 that initial negotiations between Airbus and Boeing for the fleet renewal had concluded and that the airline's board had chosen to enter exclusive negotiations with Boeing and lessors for the 737 MAX.
The 31-aircraft order marks the largest aircraft purchase in El Al's 76-year history. The flag carrier did not specify that it had signed on for any particular variant of the MAX.
In a recent interview, El Al Chief Commercial Officer Shlomi Zafrany told Aviation Week that the airline’s future narrowbody fleet was a difficult decision to make “because both [Boeing and Airbus] products are very good.”
”We are honored El Al has chosen Boeing to power its past, present and future as we continue to build on seven decades of partnership,” Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Stephanie Pope said in the Aug. 15 announcement.
An El Al spokesperson said in June that the then-potential deal had an estimated value of $2-2.5 billion over several years starting from 2027. This sum includes the purchase and lease of the aircraft, as of their future delivery dates, including engines and a supply of spare parts.
El Al’s narrowbody fleet comprises 16 737-800s, one 737-800BCF and eight 737-900ERs
The 737 MAX order is part of El Al's long-term procurement plan, which began with the purchase of three additional 787-9s along with options for six more earlier this year to expand its current fleet of 17 787s. The carrier will take delivery of a new 787-9 this year and plans to receive two more new 787-9s on lease in the coming years, according to the statement.
Connecting Israel
The firming of the order comes at a particularly challenging time for Israel's flag carrier. The country is on high alert regarding possible airstrikes from Iran, a situation that would demand maneuverability and rapid adjustments for the airline.
“El Al has a central role in ensuring open skies for Israel“, CEO Dina Ben-Tal Ganancia said. The implementation of its strategic plan aims to expand the fleet, increase the value proposition for customers and increase capacity and seating.
Many foreign airlines have suspended flights to Israel, creating greater demand for El Al flights which in turn has put more pressure on the airline. El Al says it is flying at its maximum level during the summer peak season as it operates under tight schedules to and from Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport.
El Al says its mission is to maintain air transport activities as much as possible. Ben-Tal Ganancia has said that El Al’s top priority is to be an air bridge connecting Israel to the world.
El Al is the world's only airline to halt operations during Shabbat, the Jewish period of rest that runs from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday, but it aims to make up for this shorter week by heavily utilizing its fleet on other days.
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