Israel’s flag carrier El Al announced Thursday that it has ordered up to nine 787 Dreamliner aircraft from Boeing, in a deal estimated at $2.2 billion, and will lease six more from private leasing firms.
El Al set to receive the new planes starting in the third quarter of 2017.
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El Al said the orders are both to replace aging aircraft to the most recent model in its family of long-haul jets, and further expand its fleet.
The company currently operates an exclusively Boeing fleet of 22 737s, seven 747s, seven 767s and six 777s.
Boeing will record three of the planes on its official orders list and the others will be added as El Al and Boeing finalize commitments, the two companies said.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner arrived in Israel to participate in the signing ceremony with El Al CEO David Maimon and Minister of Transport Yisrael Katz. Maimon said the planes would replace the company’s 747-400 and 767 model jets for medium to long haul routes.
“These aircraft are the latest and most advanced in the world and are efficient and economical. I am convinced that this move is a great opportunity to meet the high standard expected of us and continue the momentum in EL AL’s focus to provide our customer with maximum comfort, the newest and best technology and deliver a high standard of service on-board, ” said Maimon.
“Boeing is proud of our long-standing relationship dating back to the delivery of the airline’s first 707 in 1961 and we are pleased to now count EL AL as the newest 787 customer, ” said Conner. “The Dreamliner is a perfect fit for EL AL’s medium to long haul routes. The addition of 787s to the EL AL fleet will enable it to grow its route structure, while providing more range and capacity with exceptional passenger comfort.”
