Smaller jets would allow short-range flights to Europe
El Al is considering making a major change to its fleet strategy, with a study into the acquisition of 50-seat aircraft to operate regional services for the first time.
The Israeli national carrier is poised to evaluate the 50-seat Embraer ERJ-145 regional jet for short-range flights. The Brazilian manufacturer is due to demonstrate the aircraft to El Al soon.
El Al has traditionally operated an all-Boeing jet fleet, the smallest of which were the 100-seat 737-200s flown in the 1980s and 1990s. Regional services in and around Israel are flown by private carriers Arkia and Israir using ATR 42/72s and de Havilland Dash 7s.
However, El Al is evaluating the acquisition of its own regional aircraft to operate short-range services to nearby destinations such as Amman, Athens, Cairo, Larnaca, and some points in eastern Europe. According to El Al sources, a regional jet fleet would allow more frequencies to be flown to destinations with low demand and sharp seasonal fluctuation.
In the past El Al has come under pressure to purchase US-built aircraft despite the airline's desire to look elsewhere on occasion. In 1999, El Al selected the Airbus A330 and planned to order four aircraft, only for political pressure to scupper the purchase. However, a deal to acquire Brazilian-built regional jets should be more straightforward as there is no competing US product.
Source: Flight International
