El Al’s 15th Dreamliner aircraft, named after the Daliyat El Carmel Local Council, has landed at Ben-Gurion Airport.
Upon landing, a festive ceremony was held on the plane, which was attended by Gonen Ussishkin, El Al’s CEO, Rafik Halabi, Daliyat el-Carmel mayor other council members. About an hour later, the plane took off for Paris on its first commercial flight.
Gonen Ussishkin, El Al’s CEO: “There is renewed excitement with every landing of a new aircraft. We are honored to honor the members of the Druze community and to name the new Dreamliner aircraft “Daliyat El Carmel”.
Rafik Halabi, head of the Daliyat el-Carmel Council: “This is a beautiful and exciting event. The Daliyat el-Carmel branding of the El Al aircraft strengthens the connection between the Druze community and the State of Israel and represents much respect and appreciation. I have no doubt that this is another contribution to the promotion of tourism in Israel in general and Daliya el-Carmel in particular. I would like to thank God on behalf of all the residents of Daliya el-Carmel.”
The new Dreamliner is the third 787-8 model, one of four El Al purchased, and features a 238-seat configuration in three service departments: Business, Premium and Tourist, with 20 seats in business class, 35 seats in premium class and 183 seats in tourist class.
The aircraft joins El Al’s new and advanced DreamLiner fleet of 15 aircraft (including this aircraft) to date.
The new aircraft will join EL AL’s renewable fleet and fly to the company’s long-term destinations in North America, Europe and Far East destinations.
The arrival of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is part of a strategic move by the company to replace its aircraft fleets – removing old aircraft from service and replacing them with new and advanced aircraft.