(JNi.media) El Al has announced on Thursday signing an agreement with Boeing to purchase four new Boeing Dreamliner 787-9 and five new 787-8. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a long-range, mid-size wide-body, twin-engine jet airliner developed by Boeing Commercial Airplanes, with room for 242 to 335 passengers in typical 3-class seating configurations. It is Boeing’s most fuel-efficient airliner: the 787 was designed to be 20% more fuel efficient than the Boeing 767, which is being replaced. The 787 Dreamliner’s distinguishing features include mostly electrical flight systems, swept wingtips, and noise-reducing chevrons on its engine nacelles (the housing, separate from the fuselage, that holds engines, fuel, or equipment on an aircraft).
The estimated cost of a 787-8 is $224.6, of the 787-9: $264.6.
According to the acquisition agreement, El Al has been granted terms that allow flexibility in receiving the new airplanes in a way that complies with the company’s evolving needs, including the right to switch to different Boeing aircraft models. El Al paid nonrefundable advances to receive the optional aircraft clause.
In addition, El Al has been granted options to purchase seven additional Boeing 787-10 planes, provided the date of delivery is no later than December 31, 2023.
Also, should El Al decide to exercise is option regarding buying a new plane, on the date of purchase the company will be entitled to acquire an additional option to purchase a model 787-10 airplane, up to a total of six planes.
All the aircraft being purchased and/or leased by El Al are expected to be delivered between 2017 and 2020, and replace the fleet’s wide-bodies 747-400 and 767-300.