The president/CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Ray Connor, joined El Al president/CEO, David Maimon, at a signing ceremony for the purchase of nine new 787-800 and 787-900 Dreamliner aircraft. At the same time, El Al will lease another six aircraft from leasing companies, bringing the total number of Dreamliners to 15. El Al has also been granted an option to purchase 13 additional Dreamliner aircraft. The estimated value of the purchase of these planes is valued at approximately $1.25 billion.

In North America, the 787 Dreamliners will start replacing the 747-400 fleet on the New York (JFK/Newark)/Israel route as well as the 767 aircraft, currently utilized on the nonstop Boston/Israel and Toronto/Israel routes. This fleet renewal is to begin in the third quarter of 2017.

The festive ceremony took place recently in a hangar at El Al headquarters at Ben Gurion International Airport. Maimon stated, “Today I am proud to complete the purchase agreement as part of the largest renewal plan in the history of El Al. I am certain that this step constitutes a major opportunity to uphold the high standards expected of us and to continue to offer our customers maximum comfort, technological innovation, advanced aircraft and quality service as well as promote El Al’s renewal program.”

Connor said, “We are proud of El Al’s choice of Boeing aircraft as part of the decision to renew its fleet. The 787 aircraft are perfectly suited to the El Al long and medium-range routes. These planes will improve the airline’s performance as well as passenger comfort and flight experience. We look forward to continued cooperation with El Al, a cooperation which has already spanned half a century.”

This Dreamliner aircraft purchase enables El Al to expand and renew its wide body fleet as well as enlarge the global route network. The Dreamliner is the most innovative and advanced aircraft in the world, and affords a quality passenger experience with many operational advantages, including fuel efficiency and low maintenance costs.