30 AUG: Israel’s national airline El Al has reportedly struck an unusual alliance deal with three eastern European carriers.
Reports say that UTAir of Russia, AeroSvit of Ukraine and Armenian airline Armavia have signed letters of intent to join it in a group called WE - as in Western-Eastern.
A report in US trade publication Travel Weekly says El Al hopes to have 20 carriers in the alliance by the end of next year.
El Al has till had trouble joining alliances because of its ultra-stringent security measures and policy of not flying on Saturday, the Jewish sabbath.
