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.
EPSILON AVIATION 
Yes I agree that’s no fanfare for this particular order.
But I just can’t help scratching my head why Saudia’s earlier order for A320NEO was painted as “big blow to Boeing”. An existing A320 operator satisfied with its performance ordering A320NEO is just natural. Just because earlier rumors were favouring MAXes?
LikeLike
Because Boeing-bashing is something that brings lots of clicks for online news outlets! A significant portion is justified and deserved given some of the serious mistakes they made, but the bashing has gone too far now. The slightest minor operational incident involving Boeing aircraft is painted as the OEM’s fault (which is clearly not the case).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well to be fair even one of the MAX crashes is not fully Boeing’s fault.
While no doubt MCAS is the major cause of the nose dive, in JT610 (and JT43)’s case the aircraft itself is not properly maintained.
But yeah Boeing bashing is the buzzwords nowadays.
LikeLike
Why MAX 10 instead of MAX 9?
LikeLike
The 737-10 has at least the same (if not more) range than the 737-900ER. It will have the same field performance as the 737-9 thanks to an updated main landing gear. The per-seat costs for the 737-10 are lower than the 737-9 and, crucially, it is closer in capacity to the A321neo. The only downside is that it will probably wear its Leap-1Bs faster and slightly higher trip costs than the 737-9. El Al’s 737-900ERs are around 10 years old so the carrier can afford to wait until the 737-10 enters service, even if in 2027-28.
737 MAX customers, notably United, are taking delivery of 737-9s until the 737-10 enters service. Once the latter is available 737-9 production will almost cease.
LikeLike