Airbus marks first breakthrough in the Israeli market with Israir A320 order

Privately-owned Israeli airline Israir placed a firm order for two medium/short-range A-320 jets aircraft, becoming the European company's first customer in Israel
 
Privately-owned Israeli airline Israir placed a firm order for two medium/short-range A-320 jets aircraft, becoming the European company's first customer in Israel, Airbus said last Tuesday. Israir will fly the 174-seat, all-economy aircraft on routes to Europe. No engine choice was announced.
 
The two aircraft will be supplied in the second quarter of 2010. Israir Airlines was established in 1996 and started off with domestic routes within Israel from Eilat, Tel Aviv and Haifa. The airline has grown quickly and now accounts for almost 40% of domestic air travel.
 
Israir Airlines is also the second largest operator of international flights in Israel. It currently operates 767-300ERs, 757-200s and ATR 42s. Airbus declined to give the value of the contract. At catalogue prices, it is known to be worth US$228 million.
 
Though Tuesday's deal marks the first time an Israeli company purchased planes from Airbus, it's not the first business transaction between the two companies. Israir is already operating two aircraft on lease from Airbus, and is considering leasing a thirdcommercial jet for flights this summer.
 
The Airbus A320 Family, designed with advanced fuel-saving aerodynamics and has amongst the lowest operating costs of any aircraft, is the world's best selling single family of aircraft with over 5000 orders and 3000 deliveries from more than 180 customersand operators.

It was also made known last week that Israir is interested in the long range A-340, which could be used on its Israel-US routes