El Al Israel Airlines is currently in negotiations with Airbus to acquire up to thiry A321neo aircraft. If this deal comes to fruition, it would mark a historic milestone for the Israeli national airline, which has operated an exclusively Boeing fleet since its inception in the mid-20th century.
Dina Ben Tal Ganancia, the company’s CEO, has revealed that discussions are also underway with Boeing for the acquisition of 737 MAX aircraft. However, the closing of this deal -valued at around $4 billion based on list prices- is not expected before early 2024. It’s a common practice for airlines to request quotes from multiple manufacturers. They often use this as leverage to get discounts or other benefits. Boeing, naturally, will strive to secure its position with the airline.
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Since its establishment in 1948, the company has maintained an exclusive fleet of Boeing aircraft. This is due, in part, to the strong ties between Israel and the United States. «It’s a significant decision,» commented Ben Tal Ganancia to Reuters regarding the discussions with Airbus. «We are engaged in conversations with both suppliers. They have come to Israel repeatedly to showcase their portfolio, and we are thoroughly evaluating it.»
El Al aims to increase its current fleet of 46 aircraft to 59 by 2028, in line with its strategic growth plan. For short-haul flights, the airline plans to phase out its current fleet of 24 Boeing 737-800 aircraft -with an average age of 19 years- as well as 737-900s. Additionally, the possibility of adding six more aircraft to the fleet is being considered.
In recent years, El Al has been modernizing its long-haul fleet. Currently, it operates 16 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, with plans to increase this number to 22 as it further expands its routes to Asia, Australia, and North America. As part of its expansion, the airline inaugurated flights to Istanbul, Dublin, and Tokyo this year, with Mumbai and Fort Lauderdale slated to be added by late 2023.
