Israel to ban four-engined jets

The Israel Airports Authority has decided to ban all four-engined jets to operate from Tel Aviv effective 31 March 2023. According to a statement, the IAA is doing this due for environmental and noise-abatement reasons.

If needed, a one-off exemption can be applied for and emergency landings by four-engined jets are, of course, still allowed. Military operations are exempted from the new rule.

Challenge Airlines IL (formerly known as CAL Cargo Airlines) is the only airline based at Tel Aviv operating four-engined jets with a fleet of a single B747-400F. The airline already announced in October last year it was planning to add new types to the fleet in the form of the B767-300ERBDSF and B777-300ERSF. The first B767 is expected early next year.

The ban will also impact other operators like Challenge Airlines BE and Silk Way West Airlines, which all operate B747s into Tel Aviv on a regular basis.

Photo by Challenge Airlines.