EL AL Introductory Article for Website 17-57-05

EL AL - Israelʼs Air Link to the World
By Marvin G. Goldman
From modest beginnings, EL AL Israel Airlines soon became one of the most technologically
advanced, efficient airlines in the world. Here briefly is how it developed.
Founded in November 1948 as Israelʼs national
airline, EL AL operated its first scheduled flight on 31
July 1949 from Tel Aviv to Rome and Paris. The
name ʻEL ALʼ is taken from the Bibleʼs book of
Hosea and means ʻto the aboveʼ or more poetically
ʻto the skiesʼ. Upon the birth of the State of Israel in
May 1948, and even before EL ALʼs incorporation,
the EL AL name was applied to special flights by
Israeli DC-4 and C-46 aircraft borrowed from military
transport use. The most famous of these flights
occurred in September 1948 when an ʻEL ALʼ plane
brought Chaim Weizmann from Geneva to Israel to
become the stateʼs first president.
EL AL began humbly, with its first commercial
passenger aircraft being two used DC-4s purchased
in early 1949 from American Airlines -- 4X-ACC
named ʻRechovothʼ and 4X-ACD named ʻHerzlʼ.
These inaugurated scheduled passenger service,
with most of the original pilots being airmen from the
U.S., England, South Africa and other countries who
flew military transports for Israel as volunteers
during its War of Independence.
One of EL ALʼs first two aircraft, Douglas DC-4
ʻHerzlʼ, registration 4X-ACD, at Lod Airport, Tel Aviv,
Israel. This aircraft operated EL ALʼs first scheduled
passenger flight, on 31 July-1 August 1949 from Tel
Aviv via Rome to Paris. (Ozzie Goldman photo,
Marvin G. Goldman [ʻMGGʼ] collection).
Initially, EL AL linked Tel Aviv, Israel with major
European cities -- Paris, London, Rome and Zurich.
It operated from the Tel Aviv airport originally named
ʻLyddaʼ, which was soon renamed ʻLodʼ and later
named ʻBen-Gurion Airportʼ in honor of Israelʼs first
Prime Minister. The ʻLYʼ airline code for EL AL
flights actually derives from ʻLyddaʼ, as ʻEAʼ was
already in use by Eastern Airlines.
In June 1950, with the acquisition of two additional
used DC-4s from United Air Lines, EL AL started
special charter flights between Tel Aviv and New
York (Idlewild Airport, now JFK), and in October
1950 it launched service to Johannesburg, South
Africa, via Khartoum, Nairobi and Livingstone.
Meanwhile, cargo operations to Europe started,
utilizing C-46s converted from military transport use.
Regular scheduled flights from Tel Aviv to New York
began in April 1951 upon EL ALʼs acquisition of used
L-49 Constellations. EL AL thereby became the first
airline outside North America and Europe to operate
scheduled trans-North Atlantic service. At the time,
the voyage spanned 1-1/2 days between Tel Aviv
and New York, including many stops, some for
refueling.
EL ALʼs first Lockheed Constellation (4X-AKA) on a
pre-delivery test flight over southern California in
late 1950 (EL AL).
DC-4 4X-ACC in second livery (color scheme), at
Nairobi en route to Johannesburg, 1950-51. After
EL AL acquired two additional DC-4s from United in
1950, it retained the United livery and also applied it
to its earlier DC-4, shown here. The windows are
round but painted with rectangles resembling a
DC-6 (as done by other airlines).
C-46 4X-ACF, in Israel, 1950. The Hebrew letters
under the cockpit window say “To Eilat”. Arkia, a
domestic Israeli airline originally 50%-owned by EL
AL, started operations in 1950 utilizing C-46s
borrowed from EL AL. Arkia was sold to private
investors in 1980.
Through the early Fifties, Israel faced austerity as it
struggled to develop and to care for hundreds of
thousands of immigrants from Arab and other lands,
and EL AL was unable to upgrade its small outdated
fleet. In 1955, however, EL AL boldly became one of
the first two airlines (along with BOAC) to order the
new Bristol Britannia turboprop. EL AL introduced
the Britannias on scheduled service in December
1957, enabling it to fly between London and New
York nonstop in both directions. Award-winning EL
AL ads proclaimed “No Goose—No Gander”,
meaning no required stops at Goose Bay, Labrador
or Gander, Newfoundland for refueling on transAtlantic flights. EL AL also excelled in operational
efficiency on its trans-Atlantic Britannia flights,
besting BOAC by setting several speed records
(known as the “Blue Riband”) on the route.
EL ALʼs first jet-powered turboprop aircraft, Bristol
Britannia 4X-AGA, at Idlewild (now JFK) Airport,
during 1957-62 (Mel Lawrence photo, MGG
collection)
In 1961, EL AL introduced Boeing 707 pure jets, and
soon established world records in its flights between
Tel Aviv and New York – the first nonstop service
between those cities, and the worldʼs longest
nonstop commercial flight at the time (New York to
Tel Aviv). Boeing 720s were added in 1962, and by
1967 EL AL operated an all-Boeing 707/720 fleet. In
fact, all of EL ALʼs aircraft purchases since 1961
have been Boeing models. During the 1960s until
1968, EL AL remarkably operated with only seven
aircraft – achieving unusually high operational
efficiency through excellent maintenance and high
aircraft utilization.
fleet, operating between 1980 and 1999.
both of these aircraft types are fully retired.
Today,
747-200 4X-AXD, in first livery, 1975 (EL AL).
EL ALʼs first pure jet aircraft, Boeing 707-400
Intercontinental with Rolls-Royce engines, 4X-ATA,
flying over the State of Washington, 1961 (EL AL).
737-200 4X-ABN, at Tel Aviv with 40th anniversary
logo of the State of Israel, January 1988 (MGG
photo).
Turning to aircraft types still in EL ALʼs fleet, EL AL
presently has 37 aircraft, all manufactured by
Boeing, including wide-body 777ERs (Extended
Range), 767ERs and 747-400s, and narrow-body
737 New Generation aircraft and 757s.
Boeing 720, 4X-ABB, at Orly Airport, Paris, Sept.
1980 (Jacques Guillem photo, John Wegg
collection). Here we see the classic two-tone blue
EL AL livery designed by Dan Reisinger, applied
(with minor variations) to EL ALʼs aircraft for 29
years, from 1971 to 1999.
Wide-body jumbo 747s followed in 1973, enabling
EL AL to fly nonstop, against the prevailing winds,
from Tel Aviv to New York. The 747-200 became the
mainstay of EL ALʼs fleet, peaking at 10 aircraft of
that type (seven passenger and three cargo) during
1995-97. Two smaller 737-200s also joined the
Wide-body Boeing 767s first entered EL ALʼs fleet In
1983, featuring new computerized technology in
flight deck avionics and greatly improved fuel
economy. On 26 April 1984, with a 767 Extended
Range (ER) flying nonstop Montreal to Tel Aviv, EL
AL became the first scheduled airline to cross the
North Atlantic on a revenue flight with a two-engine
aircraft, under the U.S. FAA rule that mandated a
route always within 60 minutes of an airport
assuming operation on one engine. Today eight
767-200s and 300s (registrations between 4X-EAE
and EAR), acquired during 1999-2012, serve in the
fleet.
747-400 4X-ELC (named ʻBeer Shevaʼ) at New
York-JFK, December 2003 (Joe Pries photo).
767-300ER 4X-EAP at Toronto, 20 May 2006
(Thomas Kim photo). Here we see EL ALʼs current
livery, featuring blue and silver ribbons and a swept
up Israeli flag on the tail, introduced in 1999.
Smaller Boeing 757s, mainly for European routes,
entered the fleet starting in 1987, peaking at nine
aircraft during 1997-99, with two (4X-EBU/EBV) still
owned today.
The most modern aircraft in EL ALʼs fleet presently
include 14 Boeing 737 New Generation and six wide
-body Extended Range (ʻERʼ) Boeing 777s.
The 737 New Generation aircraft were acquired
between 1999 and 2012 (registrations between 4XEKA and EKT). These aircraft are primarily flown
between Tel Aviv and European destinations.
757-200 4X-EBU at Prague-Ruzyne, 27 April 2006,
(Filip Koska photo).
In 1994, EL AL gradually began to completely
replace its 747-200 four-engine wide-body aircraft
with Boeingʼs improved version, the 747-400. The
ʻ400ʼ series features numerous technological and
structural improvements over the ʻ200ʼ, including the
computerized ʻglassʼ cockpit, more fuel efficient
engines, winglets, and better air circulation and inflight entertainment systems for passenger comfort.
Today, EL AL operates seven 747-400s (six
passenger versions and one cargo), with
registrations ranging from 4X-ELA to ELH. These
aircraft are primarily used on long-haul routes to
North America and the Far East.
EL AL 737-800 4X-EKC at Ben-Gurion Airportʼs
Terminal 3, Tel Aviv. This terminal, opened in
November 2004, features all modern amenities and
is linked by rail to central Tel Aviv and other major
Israeli cities (EL AL).
For longer routes to the U.S. and the Far East, EL
AL now operates, in addition to its 747-400s, six
Boeing Extended Range 777-200s (4X-ECA through
ECF), acquired during 2001-2007. These 777s are
among the most technologically advanced aircraft in
the skies today.
conglomerate of Israeli aviation, transport and
tourism companies, including 75% of the Israeli
airline Arkia. Israelʼs antitrust authorities insisted
that Arkia had to be sold as a condition to the
acquisition of control of EL AL, and accordingly
Knafaim sold Arkia in December 2005 to the Israeli
Nakash family group.
777-200ER 4X-ECE, ʻSderotʼ, at Paine Field,
Everett, Washington, with the crew who flew it on 25
July 2007 to New York-JFK and Tel Aviv. (EL AL).
In addition to EL ALʼs current total of 37 aircraft, it
has recently taken steps to further modernize its
fleet.
EL AL has on order from Boeing four
737-900ER aircraft for delivery during 2013 - 2015.
These aircraft are the most modern version of the
737 New Generation class. They will feature the
ʻBoeing Sky Interiorʼ for passenger comfort and
many performance improvements, including lower
environmental emissions and fuel consumption.
In June 2012 EL AL entered into a financing
arrangement with Boeing whereby EL AL will
purchase at least one, or lease two, Boeing 787
Dreamliner aircraft, for delivery in late 2015 or early
2016. The 787 is Boeingʼs latest model, a mid-sized
wide-body featuring the most advanced
technologies in aerospace.
EL AL, under Knafaim control, completed its
privatization process in early 2005 by appointing a
new independent management team and adopting a
new strategic plan emphasizing “acquisitions of new
aircraft, substantial investments in passenger
service and comfort, and expansion of cargo,
maintenance and tourism marketing worldwide”.
As a privatized airline for over seven years now, EL
ALʼs management has adhered to financial
responsibility and, together with the airlineʼs
motivated employees, has raised passenger service
and comfort to a high standard.
Nevertheless,
profitability has widely fluctuated during this period,
mainly because sharply rising fuel prices have offset
increased efficiencies. Today EL AL also confronts
increasingly stiff competition on its routes, both from
much larger airlines that are parties to global
alliances and from low-cost carriers. As a result, it
is striving to further streamline its workforce and
enhance its operational profile and competitive
product for all passengers.
Privatization
In 2003 the Israeli government offered its
shareholdings in EL AL for sale to private interests,
primarily through the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. The
privatization included steps to protect vital Israeli
interests, including a “golden share” in EL AL for the
government, enabling it to maintain national air
transport in times of war or other emergency, and
Israeli citizenship requirements sufficient to maintain
ownership and management control in the hands of
Israelis. By December 2004 the Israeli company
Knafaim-Arkia Holdings acquired 40% of EL ALʼs
shares – enough to be the controlling shareholder –
as the governmentʼs percentage was by then
reduced to 30%.
Knafaim already owned a
Elyezer Shkedy, current President of EL AL, has
served in that position since January 2010.
Previously, he was Commander-in-Chief of the
Israel Air Force. (EL AL).
Airlifts and Lifeline
For over 60 years, EL AL has fulfilled many special
roles for Israel and the Jewish people. Through
massive immigrant airlifts, starting with Operation
Magic Carpet which brought Yemenite Jews to Israel
in 1949-50, and Operation Ali Baba in 1951 where
EL AL flights rescued Jews fleeing oppression in
Iraq, the airline recalled the Biblical prophecy of
returning Jews to Israel “on eaglesʼ wings”. In 1990,
EL AL started airlifting hundreds of thousands of
Jews from the former Soviet Union and Eastern
Europe in Operation Exodus, and in May 1991 it
carried out the dramatic rescue of thousands of
Ethiopian Jews in Operation Solomon. During this
last airlift, EL AL set a new worldʼs record for the
most passengers ever carried on a single aircraft –
1,087 on a Boeing 747-200 from Addis Ababa to
Israel – including a baby born en route.
two of its aircraft, EL AL has plainclothes armed
guards aboard each flight. The airline spends more
than twice as much money as other airlines to
protect its passengers and aircraft, and it maintains
the most intensive and respected airline security
system in the world. At home and abroad, pre-flight
security checks and baggage inspections are carried
out thoughtfully and with utmost care, utilizing the
airlineʼs own modern detection equipment and
specially trained personnel. EL AL aircraft are also
equipped with classified Israeli security hardware.
Shabbat Flights
Even though privatized, EL AL has continued its
policy of not operating scheduled passenger flights
on Shabbat (the Jewish Sabbath which spans Friday
sundown to Saturday sundown) or on major Jewish
holidays. This means that EL AL must accomplish in
306 days a year what other passenger carriers do in
365. Needless to say, this is a big driver towards
maintaining operational efficiency. Meanwhile, the
airline continues, as it did under government control,
to operate cargo flights, and charter flights under the
brand name of its subsidiary Sun dʼOr, even on days
of special religious significance.
Sun dʼOr
One last look before boarding EL ALʼs 747 (4X-AXF)
at Addis Ababa on the Operation Solomon flight that
carried an all-time record of 1,087 passengers. (EL
AL, Yaacov Katz photo).
EL AL has also served as Israelʼs vital lifeline to the
world in times of crisis. For example, during the
1967 Six Day War and 1973 Yom Kippur conflict, as
well as during the Gulf War in 1990 when Iraq
bombarded Israel with Scud missiles, EL AL was the
only airline that continued to fly passengers in and
out of Israel. Many of its aircraft also operated
around the clock to carry vital supplies.
Security
Most travelers will name “security” as the feature
that particularly distinguishes EL AL. Since 1968,
following the occurrence of terrorist attacks against
Sun dʼOr International Airlines was established in
1977 as a subsidiary of EL AL to operate charter
flights. Over the years Sun dʼOr has specialized in
low-cost flights appealing to vacationers, working
closely with tour operators and flying mainly to
holiday resorts in the Mediterranean area, western
and eastern Europe.
It typically operated 757
aircraft leased from EL AL together with EL AL crew
and maintenance.
Due to Israeli government
requirements, during the past two years the charter
flights have been directly operated by EL AL using
Sun dʼOr only as a brand name, However, EL AL
hopes to have Sun dʼOr operate these flights with
Sun dʼOr aircraft and crews in the near future.
Routes and Networks
All of EL ALʼs current scheduled flights are flown
nonstop, point-to-point between Tel Aviv and one of
35 different cities. These destinations include 4 in
North America (New York, Newark, Toronto and Los
Angeles); 21 in western and eastern Europe; 3 in
the former Soviet Union (Moscow, St. Petersburg
and Kiev); the resort city of Eilat in Israel, 2 in Africa
(Johannesburg since 1950 and Cairo since 1980);
and 4 in the Far East starting in the 1990s (Mumbai,
Bangkok, Beijing and Hong Kong).
Its nonstop
flights between Los Angeles and Tel Aviv, utilizing
extended range 777-200s and averaging 18 hours,
are among the longest in the world.
In terms of
service between Tel Aviv and the United States and
Israel, EL AL has the most nonstop flights of any
airline between New York/Newark and Tel Aviv, and
the only nonstop flights between Los Angeles and
Tel Aviv.
EL AL is not presently a member of any worldwide
airline alliance. However, it does participate in ʻcode
shareʼ and ʻinterlineʼ commercial agreements with
several airlines.
A code share arrangement allows the sharing
airlines to market one anotherʼs flights on certain
routes. A seat can be purchased on one airline but
actually be operated by the cooperating airline under
a different flight number or code. EL AL has code
sharing arrangements, in respect of certain flight
itineraries originating or terminating in Tel Aviv, with
American Airlines (certain U.S. and European cities
on flights operated by American), Iberia (Barcelona
and Madrid), Swiss (Geneva and Zurich), Thai
(Bangkok), Czech (Prague), Siberia (S7) Airlines
(Novosibirsk), Air China (Beijing) and AeroSvit
(Kiev).
In another form of cooperation with other airlines,
EL AL is party to ʻinterline agreementsʼ with Jet Blue,
WestJet of Canada, and Virgin America. These
agreements generally allow passengers to fly on a
single ticket, and have baggage automatically
transferred, when making connections between EL
AL and the other carrier.
Copyright 2012, Marvin G. Goldman
EL AL Advertisement, 2012 (MGG collection).