Israeli Career El Al is considering adding wide-body cargo ships to its fleet as part of a revision of its strategic plan to the end of the decade.
El Al has already introduced Boeing 737 cargo ships and has been dealing with increasing demand for cargo services since the start of the Gaza conflict.
Also last year, we used another cargo aircraft in a wet lease to support cargo activities.
However, El Al says it is about “exploring the possibilities” of introducing its own widebody cargo ship into the fleet in 2028.
Updates to that strategic plan include adjusting the fleet expansion schedule through delivery holdups.
El Al aims to increase its passenger fleet to 61 in 2030, including three wet leases. This predicts that it will carry 7.6 million tourists.
However, given the delay in delivery schedules, “solutions will also be considered for the next few years.”
El Al's expansion includes introducing more 787s. There are 12 787-9 and 16 types, consisting of four 787-8s.
The carrier is still waiting for delivery of its 13th Boeing 787-9, and its arrival has been postponed, but is expected to be introduced this year.
Two more 787-9s (both under dry leases) are expected to arrive in 2026-27. The carrier signed a deal with Boeing last year to take the three more expected in 2029-30, giving him a total of 22 787 seconds.
El Al also has six additional 787 options, scheduled “beyond the time frame of the strategic plan.”
The wide body expansion involves returning six Boeing 777-200ers to service. This will result in a fifth aircraft, behind the forecast due to supply chain issues. El Al reconfigured the 777 cabin to feature a 787-style interior, increasing the seat count to 313.
Elle says that the sixth 777 “is not expected to return to use in company services at this stage.”
The Fleet Plan includes updates of 24 older Boeing 737-800 and -900, with a maximum of 31 737 Max Jets.
El Al expects this narrow body update to begin in 2028.
As part of its fleet and expansion efforts, El Al launched a pilot training business at its Israeli facility last year. El Al says this year, he will further expand the center's functionality with an additional 737 simulator he purchased in January.
El Al's strategic plan also covers optimization of route networks, growth of digital channels, which accounts for half of revenue in 2030, and diverging from the core business by developing tourism activities.
