Israeli airline El Al signs agreement to acquire Starlink services
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JERUSALEM, June 15 (Reuters) - Israeli airline El Al said on Monday it had signed an agreement with Elon Musk's Starlink to provide its fleet with high-speed internet service starting next year.
The financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.
The Israeli airline stated that SpaceX's Starlink service will be offered at no additional charge and will allow hundreds of customers to connect simultaneously, including during long-haul flights.
Global airlines are striving to attract premium customers, and the importance of providing high-speed Wi-Fi onboard has increased.
As of last week, Starlink had signed contracts with 11 new airlines so far through 2026. The company, which operates about two-thirds of the satellites in space and accounts for the largest share of SpaceX's revenue, faces competition from Amazon.
El Al CEO Levi Halevi said, "Integrating Starlink technology into El Al aircraft is an important step forward, allowing customers to stay connected in the air, enjoy live streaming, continue their work, and communicate seamlessly and without interruption."
The company has a relatively modern fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners for long-haul flights, and this fleet is expected to continue growing in the coming years as the company expands its route network. The company has also ordered Boeing 737 Max aircraft for its European routes.
Since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, El Al has faced limited competition and seen a rise in profits, at a time when a number of foreign airlines have suspended their flights to Israel. However, this is expected to change if an agreement is reached between Washington and Tehran to end the Iran war.
