El Al will decide before the end of the year whether to order Next Generation Boeing 737s or Airbus A320 family aircraft to satisfy its need for 125- to 150-seat aircraft for operation on services to Europe.
The Israeli national airline is evaluating the 737-700/800, along with the Airbus A319 and A320, and intends to conclude a deal for the lease or purchase of five aircraft (Flight International, 16-22 July, P11). Although traditionally a Boeing customer, El Al seems to be examining seriously the Airbus option, and a high-level delegation from the European consortium, headed by chief executive Jean Pierson, met top El Al managers in Tel Aviv in Israel on 30 September.
After the meeting, Joseph Ciechanover, El Al's chairman, said that a decision will be made before the end of the year, with deliveries planned for 1999. The new aircraft will replace some of El Al's Boeing 757-200s, 767-200s and 737-200s as part of a new strategy to minimise the number of its unpopular indirect flights to Europe.
El Al's traditional allegiance to Boeing has resulted from objections by the US Administration to any intention by the airline to purchase non-US aircraft, as the country provides some $3 billion to Israel annually in financial support. "We hope to be able to select the most suitable aircraft to our needs, without having to consider irrelevant parameters," El Al says.
Source: Flight International
