From left to right: Ralph Nakash, President of Jordache Enterprises, John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers, Joe Nakash, Chairman of Jordache Enterprises.
Airbus makes breakthrough in Israel with its first widebody aircraft deal.
ARKIA Israeli Airlines, majority owned by Jordache Enterprises, will receive up to four A330-900neo aircraft, making the airline the first Airbus widebody customer in Israel. The A330neo aircraft will be the backbone of ARKIA’s expansion into long-haul and leisure markets.
ARKIA became an Airbus customer in 2012 through an order for four A321neo aircraft. Airbus’ unique commonality and Cross Crew Qualification concept that allow pilots and engineers to transition between single and twin aisle aircraft easily means that the A330-900neo and A321neo will operate seamlessly together and bring operational benefits to the entire fleet.
The A330neo will be equipped with Airspace by Airbus cabins offering superior comfort, ambience, and design, and complemented with fourth generation or light In-Flight entertainment, enabling mobile telephony, internet and on board Wi-Fi via personal devices.
“The A330-900neo will be a key asset to help us grow efficiently on highly competitive international long-haul routes from Israel. The aircraft will offer our passengers the latest product with great cabin comfort on direct long-haul flights,” said Mr. Joe Nakash, Chairman of Jordache Enterprises. “Thanks to the proven reliability and fuel efficiency of the A330 family, the A330neo will also deliver us with the best in class operating economics.”
“We are delighted to be making inroads in Israel” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers. “The A330neo offers 14 percent reduced fuel burn per seat married with the best in class economics and comfort. The mix of the A321neo with A330neo in ARKIA’s fleet will allow the airline to reap the benefits of Airbus’ unique aircraft commonality.”
The A330-900neo is the most cost-efficient aircraft in its size category offering an increased non-stop range of up to 400 nautical miles.
Jordache manages a multibillion-dollar investment portfolio including MG Aviation in Hong-Kong, U.S. POLO Assn, Jordache Jeans, agriculture, transportation, manufacturing, and real estate located in prime locations throughout the world. The real estate portfolio consists of retail, office, multifamily and hotel properties. Among the group's recent acquisitions are the famous Versace Mansion and the luxury Setai Miami Beach.
Embraer and Arkia sign Letter of Intent for six E195-E2 jets
With the presence of Nir Dagan, ARKIA Israeli Airlines’ President & CEO, and John Slattery, President & CEO, Embraer Commercial Aviation, Embraer announced at the Farnborough Airshow a Letter of Intent (LoI) from the airline for up to ten E195-E2 jets, consisting of six firm orders and four purchase rights. With purchase rights exercised, the contract has a potential value of USD 650 million, at the current list price.
“The addition of the extremely cost efficient new E195-E2 with superb customer experience will undoubtedly further cement our partnership with ARKIA into the future,” said Slattery, President & CEO, Embraer Commercial Aviation.
ARKIA will configure all the E195-E2s in a very comfortable single-class layout with 134 seats. The airline currently operates four current generation E-Jets, being two E190s and two E195s. This deal brings the E-Jets E2 backlog to 272 firm orders plus 398 LoIs, options and purchase rights for a total of 670 commitments from airlines and leasing companies.
“With the best economics in the segment, the E195-E2 will be the perfect addition to our fleet,” said Nir Dagan, ARKIA Israeli Airlines’ President & CEO. “The E195-E2 range of 2,450 nautical miles enables Arkia to cover all of its European destinations and launch new ones across the continent. In addition to the range, the E2 will maintain the same unparalleled level of comfort in the cabin, which is very popular among our passengers.”
In the past few years, Arkia has increased its regional and international routes structure, while also introducing the E-Jets in order to modernize its turboprop fleet serving the popular resort of Eilat in the Red Sea, all with modern, economic, efficient and comfortable jet aircraft. The E-Jets are the perfect airplane to open new routes and the only commercial jets operating at Dov, the Tel Aviv city airport, which is made possible by their outstanding runway performance, maneuverability on the ground and reduced noise footprint.
Embraer is the world’s leading manufacturer of commercial jets with up to 130+ seats. The company has 100 customers all over the world operating the ERJ and E-Jet families of aircraft. For the E-Jets program alone, Embraer has logged more than 1,700 orders and over 1,200 deliveries, redefining the traditional concept of regional aircraft by operating across a range of business applications.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
