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Israel's El Al profit skyrockets as rivals cancel flights amid dispute

El Al Israel Airlines reported an almost 150% jump in profit on Thursday, making the most of its nearmonopoly status with lots of foreign carriers having cancelled flights amid the war in Gaza and raising clients' ire over high fares.

Separately, El Al revealed a deal with Boeing for the purchase of as much as 31 737 MAX airplane worth as much as $2.5. billion to change its aging short-haul fleet of Boeing 737-800. and 737-900 planes.

Israel's flag provider posted a second-quarter net earnings of. $ 147 million, up from $59 million a year previously, before the war. with Hamas militants in Gaza that started on Oct. 7. With. competitors robust, it had often struggled to stay successful. pre-war.

Profits jumped 33% to $839 million, while its passenger load. aspect rose to 92% from 87%, even as it broadened capability by 8%.

Its Tel Aviv-listed shares, however, fell 2% despite the. results.

El Al has actually been criticized by customers in Israel and abroad. for price-gouging, as it has actually emerged as a near-monopoly given that. the Gaza war activated by the Hamas attacks in Israel. El Al has. benefited as rivals have regularly cancelled services due to. the security scenario.

El Al turned down the criticism and accusations it was taking. benefit of a traveler base with little travel alternative, saying. that half of those who had actually purchased tickets this year were paying. less than in 2023.

We put some restraints on our price list, El Al Chief. Executive Dina Ben-Tal Ganancia told Reuters.

ADDITIONAL FLIGHTS

Ben-Tal Ganancia stated numerous passengers were reserving late. provided the security uncertainty and demand was greater than. supply. The provider is likewise supplying flights for a cost to those. stranded, from Greece, Cyprus and other locations and has actually added. flights to the United States and Asia.

So if you purchased a ticket with United and now you are. coming to El Al (after a cancellation) ... you will not find the. same price that you purchased 6 months before, she said.

After resuming flights in June, numerous air providers have when. again cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv, a few of them up until. 2025, amid threats of a possible attack on Israel by Iran and. its proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The last couple of days prove to us in specific how delicate the. idea of 'open skies' remains in relation to Israel, stated Ben-Tal. Ganancia.

(source: Reuters)