TOULOUSE- El Al Israel Airlines (LY) signed a deal with Boeing on August 17, 2023, for the acquisition of up to 31 737 MAX aircraft.
The agreement, valued at $2.5 billion, includes a firm order for 20 737 MAX planes worth $1.5 billion and options for 11 additional planes.
EL AL Orders 737 MAX
The Israeli flag carrier expects deliveries to commence in 2028. El Al is considering accelerating the introduction of several 737 MAX aircraft through dry leasing, potentially bringing them into service as early as 2027, Reuters reported.
El Al Israel Airlines has not disclosed the specific variants of the 737 MAX included in its recent order. All 737 MAX aircraft in the order will be equipped with CFM International Leap-1B engines, known for their improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions compared to previous generations.
The agreement provides El Al with partial flexibility to adjust acceptance dates for some aircraft. This clause allows the airline to align deliveries with market conditions and operational needs, enhancing its ability to manage fleet capacity effectively.
El Al has secured conversion rights for certain models within the order.
This purchase aims to modernize El Al’s short-haul fleet, replacing the ageing Boeing 737-800 and 737-900 aircraft currently in operation. The move aligns with the airline’s strategy to improve fuel efficiency and operational performance.
El Al’s decision to maintain an all-Boeing fleet underscores its long-standing relationship with the American aircraft manufacturer. This significant investment signals the airline’s confidence in future growth and its commitment to enhancing passenger experience.
Executive Remarks
Dina Ben-Tal Ganancia, CEO of EL AL, emphasized the importance of this development, stating, “This achievement will enable us to provide our customers with the most advanced service and technology experience in the industry.”
She highlighted that this step is part of a broader, long-term procurement strategy that began with the purchase of an additional 787 Dreamliners earlier this year. “This deal underscores our unwavering commitment to the Israeli public and the state,” Ganancia added.
Stephanie Pope, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes expressed pride in the longstanding partnership between the two companies. “We are honoured that EL AL has chosen Boeing aeroplanes to power its past, present, and future as we continue to build on seven decades of collaboration,” Pope said.
She noted the airline’s reliance on the versatility and reliability of Boeing aircraft and looked forward to delivering the 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner jets, which will play a crucial role in shaping and expanding EL AL in the years to come.
EL AL’s recent order of the 737 MAX follows its earlier acquisition of three additional 787-9 aeroplanes, with options for six more, as the airline continues to grow its Dreamliner fleet. The carrier is set to receive a new 787-9 this year, with plans for two more new 787-9s to be delivered on lease shortly.
Current Fleet
According to Planespotters.net, EL AL Israel Airlines operates a fleet of 47 aircraft. Here’s the Table representing the all Boeing fleet of Tel Aviv-based carrier. The average fleet age of the EL AL fleet is 13.5 years.
| Aircraft Type | Total |
| Boeing 737-800 | 17 |
| Boeing 737-900ER | 8 |
| Boeing 777-200 | 6 |
| Boeing 787-8 | 4 |
| Boeing 787-9 | 12 |
Out of six, two Boeing 777-200 are parked at Tel Aviv Airport. Both these planes are older than 23 years.
The oldest aircraft in EL AL Israel Airlines fleet is the Boeing 737-800, registered as 4X-EKA. Named Tiberias is a 25.5-year-old aircraft and has been in operation since February 1999.
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