El Al to buy four Boeing 737-900ERs

The value of the deal is between USD$215 million-USD$320 million.The new planes will have a range to commercial destinations within five hours flying time from Ben Gurion Airport
 
Israeli airline El Al airline announced last week it was buying four new Boeing 737-900ER (extended range) planes with option for two more jets of the same type. The value of the deal for up to six aircraft is between USD$215 million-USD$320 million.
 
El Al, which operates an all Boeing fleet, owns 14 737 aircraft and with the purchase it will raise its short- and medium-haul fleet to 18 planes. El Al said it has another option to purchase two more Boeing aircraft.
 
The Boeing 737-900ERs will replace themedium-haulBoeing 757s that El Al uses on its short and medium-haul routes to Europe. The new planes will have a range to commercial destinations within five hours flying time from Ben Gurion Airport. El Al's fleet of medium-haul 757 airliners will be phase out gradually.
 
El Al chief executive, Eliezer Shkedi, said the company was continuing to replenish its fleet. He added that the purchase was intended to meet the growing customer demand on various routes and would allow the company to improve its quality of service.
 
The new planes are scheduled to enter service in 2013. El Al says that they will boost its economy and business class passenger capacity. The airline adds that the new planes will lower its operating costs compared with other planes now in service.