JERUSALEM: Israeli carrier Israir said on Monday it was working to acquire two widebody Airbus A330 aircraft for a total of $80 million as it seeks to expand its long-haul routes to help offset a push by Wizz Air into the Israeli market.
Israir said it was negotiating through several channels to finalize the purchase, while it is also engaged in advanced talks with local tourism group Issta to consider an allocation of seats for 10 years in exchange for an advance of about $35 million.
It noted that at this stage, there is no certainty the deal will be completed, and the company continues to explore additional financing sources. Wizz said on Sunday it was planning to establish a hub in Israel by April, a move Israir objects to since it would be a direct competitor. Israir has a fleet of about 21 aircraft that it owns and leases and flies mostly domestically and to Europe. It maintains a 14 percent market share at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. It said the move is part of a series of strategic adjustments the carrier is implementing in light of Wizz Air’s expanding activity in Israel. Israir plans to fly to Asia and other transatlantic destinations. It has already received permission to begin nonstop flights to New York from Tel Aviv starting in March.
