Air Transport

Airbus has finally made a breakthrough into the Israeli market after Tel Aviv-based carrier Israir signed a deal to acquire three Airbus A320s. They will be delivered in an all-economy configuration with 174 seats. Israir is to deploy the twinjets on routes from Israel to European cities. Israeli carriers have long been loyal Boeing customers and efforts by Airbus to change this status - notably by lobbying flag carrier El Al - have previously been unsuccessful. But Israir has leaned toward the A320, signing a letter of intent last year to acquire two firm and one optioned aircraft. It also agreed earlier this year to lease a pair of A320s through a deal with Loftleidir Icelandic.