TEL AVIV- El Al (LY), Israel’s national airline, has revealed an initial agreement to acquire three additional Boeing 787 aircraft, with the possibility of acquiring up to six more.
According to the airline, the three aircraft from the initial agreement are scheduled for delivery in 2029 and 2030.
EL AL to Buy Boeing 787s
El Al further explains that the optional 787s, if exercised, would be received starting from 2030, depending on confirmation timing and Boeing’s aircraft availability, reported FlightGlobal.
The airline emphasizes its flexibility regarding delivery timelines and conversion rights, enabling it to opt for a different variant if necessary.
El Al has not specified the engine choice for its 787 fleet, which consists of both -9s and -8s, all equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines.
The airline approximates the total acquisition cost for the three aircraft, including spare engines, to be between $650 million and $730 million, excluding future maintenance expenses.
However, the El Al Airlines has not yet finalized the agreement.
“Before the delivery of each aircraft, the company will explore various financing options,” the airline clarifies.
With a current fleet of 16 787s and commitments to receive an additional three by 2026, El Al’s fleet will expand to 22 787s if the latest agreement is confirmed, potentially reaching up to 28 aircraft in total.
Fleet Renewal
Although the agreement still awaits confirmation, discussions concerning fleet expansion show positive signs. EL AL, having closed the fourth quarter of 2023 with profitable outcomes, presented its fleet plans in February 2024.
Dubbed the “replacement and renewal campaign,” the airline previously expressed its intention to augment its single-aisle fleet from 24 to a range of 28 to 31 aircraft from 2028 to 2030. Meanwhile, the existing Boeing 787 fleet is projected to expand from 16 to 22 aircraft within the same timeframe, spanning from 2028 to 2030.
The airline’s Boeing 787-9 model is designed to accommodate 271 passengers spread across four cabin classes, featuring 129 in economy, 75 in economy plus, 35 in premium economy, and 32 in business class. Conversely, the 787-8 variant boasts a total of 235 seats, also distributed across four cabin classes, with 111 in economy, 72 in economy plus, 35 in premium economy, and 20 in business class.
In addition to its fleet of 787 Dreamliners, the airline operates four Boeing 777-200ER widebody aircraft, as reported by ch-aviation. However, EL AL’s 777-200ER model offers a higher passenger capacity than its 787s, accommodating 279 passengers across four cabin classes, including 186 in economy, 52 in economy plus, 35 in business class, and six in first class.
EL AL has set ambitious goals for the upcoming summer season, with plans to roll out its most extensive summer schedule to the United States, offering 52 weekly flights to the country in July 2024.
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