EL AL - Israelʼs Air Link to the WorldBy 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.

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.

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).

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 trans-Atlantic 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.

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).

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

fleet, operating between 1980 and 1999. Today, both of these aircraft types are fully retired.

747-200 4X-AXD, in first livery, 1975 (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.

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.

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.

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 in-flight 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.

747-400 4X-ELC (named ʻBeer Shevaʼ) at New York-JFK, December 2003 (Joe Pries photo).

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 4X-EKA and EKT). These aircraft are primarily flown between Tel Aviv and European destinations.

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.

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 w ide -body fea tu r ing the mos t advanced technologies in aerospace.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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).