Israel to ban Boeing 747s, other 4-engine planes due to environmental concerns

 Israel will ban Boeing 747 and similar aircraft with four engines as of March 31, 2023 to reduce noise and air pollution, its airports authority said on Sunday. This is part of a bid to bring down noise and air pollution, the airports authority is quoted saying by Reuters.

The Israel Airports Authority says it has told airlines they will not be able to fly such large planes to Tel Aviv next summer season.

The directive is mainly for cargo aircraft since most, it not all, carriers have stopped using 747 and other four-engine planes on routes to Israel.

Flag carrier El Al has already retired its fleet of 747s and uses twin-engine Boeing 777 and 787 planes on long-haul routes. Competitors also use those Boeing planes or comparable Airbus ones to Ben Gurion, although the 747s are still used by some for cargo.

Operation of aircraft with four engines will be allowed in exceptional cases and only with a special permit.

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