El Al planning to sell planes from emergency fleet

El Al was planning to sell two cargo planes from its emergency fleet and considered selling or grounding another three in the next few years, a Defense Ministry source revealed on Wednesday. According to a letter written by El Al secretary general, the company, which is in the process of privatization, would retain a fleet of four cargo planes to be used in a state of emergency. Israel Radio reported that the Defense Ministry did not object to the sales and believed that the remaining fleet would be sufficient for emergency purposes. El Al added that it had recently purchased two passenger planes that would be able to carry 40 tons of cargo per day, if needed.