Filling the gap

The world’s airlines are ordering airplanes by the score. But many of them will need additional capacity long before either Boeing or Airbus can deliver new-built factory planes. Flight International http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/2006/05/09/Navigation/177/206464/Airbus+and+Boeing+woo+El+Al+as+Israeli+carrier+looks+for+gap.html looks at some of the jockeying involved as the two airframers try to provide that “bridge” for one airline — Israel’s El Al.

Key Quote: “Airbus is offering the A330 as an interim solution until the A350 can be delivered early in the next decade. … Boeing has been asked to devise a plan to enable El Al to upgrade the passenger cabins of its 767s to allow an extension of their lives until the 787 could be delivered.”