Israel’s El Al finalizes orders for dozens of 737 MAX aircraft: Boeing

(FILES) A logo is seen on the Boeing stand on the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow 2024, south west of London, on July 22, 2024. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)

New York, United States — Israeli flag carrier El Al has finalized orders for up to 31 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft as it looks to modernize its fleet, the US aerospace giant Boeing said Thursday.

The orders mark El Al’s “largest airplane purchase in its 76-year history,” Boeing said in a statement, adding that they came on top of existing orders from its 787 range of aircraft.

However, Boeing did not confirm which aircraft it had finalized from its MAX line, which includes the 737 MAX 8 and 737 MAX 9, along with two additional models that have not yet received certification from regulators.

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“We are honored EL AL has chosen Boeing airplanes to power its past, present and future as we continue to build on seven decades of partnership,” Boeing Commercial Airplanes chief executive Stephanie Pope said in a statement.

El Al had held discussions with Boeing and its European competitor Airbus for over a year before entering into exclusive talks with the Seattle-based group for a deal.

The Israeli firm said in June that its deal with Boeing would be worth between $2 billion and $2.5 billion, with deliveries scheduled from 2027.