Hello All,
El Al announced that it would purchase or lease up to 30 737 MAXes with deliveries starting in 2027. The Israeli flag carrier was one of the few major ones that had not yet ordered new-generation aircraft. This brief post will analyze the reasons.
One of the least surprising campaign results
El Al currently operates 17 737-800s and 8 737-900s. The 737-800s have an average age of around 20 years, and the 737-900s are a bit less than 10 years. El Al will likely order a mix of 737-8s and 737-10s.
This blog believes that an A320neo family order would always be a long shot for political reasons. Israel has stronger political ties with the USA than European countries. El Al is already an all-Boeing operator who knows how to prepare the carrier’s aircraft (they have special defense features). The lack of near-term delivery slots did not help the European OEM’s chances.
The 737-10 has enough range to operate flights to all of continental Europe (Lisbon is 2,200nm away from Tel Aviv, and London is around 1,950nm) and other shorter flights in Africa and the Middle East. While flights with the 737 MAX to India’s New Delhi and Mumbai are possible (less than 2,200nm), airspace restrictions in the region might make single-aisle operations challenging.
After renewing its 737 NGs with 737 MAXes, the only older-generation aircraft left to replace in El Al’s fleet will be the six 777-200ERs. The Israeli carrier already has options for more Dreamliners. The only question is whether it will be 787-9s or 787-10s.
A few remaining carriers without new-generation aircraft
After El Al’s order, a couple of major airlines still have not yet ordered newer-generation single-aisle aircraft. If we exclude Chinese, Russian subsidiaries of major airline groups, and ACMI operators, we are left with Sun Country Airlines, Volotea, FlySafair, Finnair, Airlink, and Aeromexico Connect.