El Al had an option to buy 14 787s, but unexpectedly cancelled the order in late 2006. El Al will receive two Boeing 777s at the end of July and late August
Arkia Israeli Airlines announced last Tuesday it would exercise its option to buy an additional two Boeing 787 Dreamliners aircraft, considered the most advanced passenger plane in the world.
In a statement issued by the company it said that Arkia paid between USD$140 million and USD$150 million for each of the jets, which are to be delivered in 2013.
Last December the airline ordered two similar aircraft that are to be delivered in 2012. Rival El Al Israel Airlines announced late last week it was negotiating to buy two Boeing 787. It is reported that the timing of El Al's announcement is part of the competition between the airlines to fly the first Dreamliner.
El Al had an option to buy 14 787s, but unexpectedly cancelled the order in late 2006, apparently with the idea of leasing the planes instead of buying them. The 787 is built of composite materials of innovative design. It has large windows, silent systems, and low fuel consumption. Each plane costs $150m and can fly non-stop from Tel Aviv to Los Angeles or Sydney. El Al Israel Airlines recently bought two 777 jets for more than 1 billion shekels (USD$236 million).
El Al will receive two Boeing 777s at the end of July and late August. The planes cost $400m. It is not known when the airline will receive the 787s.
