Company profile
El Al Cargo is the cargo division of El Al Israel Airlines, Israel's flag carrier. El Al was founded in 1949 as the national airline, and cargo operations run alongside the passenger network without a separate cargo subsidiary. The cargo head office and main hub are at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV / LLBG). Carrier codes are IATA LY and ICAO ELY, radio call sign EL AL, and the official site for corporate and cargo enquiries is elal.com.
On fleet and capacity, El Al no longer owns freighters. The last Boeing 747 freighter, 4X-ELF (747-400F), was returned to its lessor in July 2019, and the 747 fleet was fully retired after the last commercial 747 flight in November 2019. Cargo now moves mainly in passenger aircraft bellies, chiefly the Boeing 787-9 (still being delivered), Boeing 737-800/900 and Boeing 777-200ER long-haul aircraft. Heavy and large-volume demand is covered by code-share and wet-lease arrangements with CAL (Challenge Airlines IL, IATA 5C); some freighter flights carrying LY flight numbers are actually flown by CAL Boeing 747-400F aircraft.
On China, El Al operates no scheduled passenger or cargo flights of its own. It previously served Tel Aviv to Beijing but did not resume after the pandemic and the regional security situation. The only nonstop service between China and Israel today is flown by Hainan Airlines: Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) to Tel Aviv TLV resumed in April 2025 with about 2 to 3 flights a week, and Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX) to TLV opened in June 2025 as a seasonal service. Flights carrying LY codes on the Shanghai Pudong to Beijing leg are code-share or charter operations, not El Al metal. Cargo from China must be connected to TLV by Hainan Airlines or a third carrier before it moves into the El Al passenger belly network to Europe and North America.
For Chinese shippers the value of El Al Cargo is TLV as an eastern Mediterranean gateway: cargo from China connects on the nonstop leg from Beijing or Shenzhen to Tel Aviv and is then distributed to European, North American and Middle East points. Europe coverage includes London, Paris, Frankfurt, Rome and Madrid; North America includes New York JFK, Los Angeles LAX, Boston and Miami; eastward it extends to Bangkok and other Southeast Asian points. Israel is known for strict aviation security and for experience with dangerous goods and perishables, which suits high-value cargo with security and transit time requirements.
On two-way flows, exports from China are mainly electronic and IT products, communications equipment, textiles and apparel, auto parts and higher-value industrial goods routed through TLV to Europe and North America; imports are mainly pharmaceuticals, chemicals and diamonds from Israel and via Europe, high in value with strong security requirements. Israeli airspace has closed at times because of security incidents, so flight operations carry volatility risk; shippers should allow connection buffer in peak and sensitive periods, and capacity is confirmed by the carrier on the day of booking.
International air services connecting from China
El Al Cargo serves China mainly with passenger belly capacity, and there is no El Al metal on the China leg: cargo must first reach Tel Aviv TLV on Hainan Airlines or a third carrier before moving through the El Al passenger belly network. To Europe, TLV connects to London, Paris, Frankfurt, Rome, Madrid and Amsterdam; across the Atlantic, TLV connects to New York JFK, Los Angeles LAX, Boston and Miami; to the Middle East and Southeast Asia, TLV connects to regional points and Bangkok.
By commodity, Chinese electronic and IT products, communications equipment, e-commerce parcels and textiles fit the belly capacity on the nonstop Beijing and Shenzhen services to TLV and onward distribution to Europe and North America. High-value diamonds, precision instruments and pharmaceuticals suit Israeli security procedures and priority capacity. Heavy and bulk industrial goods are better routed on CAL freighter capacity sold under LY codes or through a European hub. On the return leg, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and diamonds from Israel and via Europe carry high value and suit express belly capacity. Actual payload and capacity are confirmed by the carrier on the day of booking.
On gateway choice, shippers in North China can use belly capacity on the nonstop PEK to TLV service, shippers in South China can use the seasonal nonstop from Shenzhen Bao'an SZX, and shippers in East and Central China can consolidate on a domestic leg to Beijing or Shenzhen or meet the cargo at TLV on a third carrier. Distribution capability at TLV determines the connection path: Europe and North America connect at Tel Aviv, and when peak season capacity is tight the routing can switch to a European gateway. Capacity and loading conditions at each gateway are confirmed by the carrier on the day of booking.
| Connection direction | Main destinations | What it means for Chinese shippers |
|---|---|---|
| European distribution | London LHR, Paris CDG, Frankfurt FRA, Rome FCO, Madrid MAD, Amsterdam AMS | Chinese cargo tranships at TLV to major European cities, covering export markets in Europe |
| Transatlantic extension | New York JFK, Los Angeles LAX, Boston BOS, Miami MIA | North American gateways via TLV, suited to multi-leg intercontinental cargo |
| Middle East and Southeast Asia | Israel and the surrounding region, extending to Bangkok BKK and others | Covers the eastern Mediterranean and Middle East trade area, matching Chinese exports to the region |
| Backhaul cargo | Pharmaceuticals, chemicals, diamonds and other high-value cargo from Israel and via Europe | Matched two-way flows, with high-value return cargo suited to security and priority capacity |
The table summarises the main directions from public sources. Times are local. Actual schedules vary with the season and are subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking.
Route network from China to the Tel Aviv hub
The diagram shows, from a Eurasian perspective, how cargo from China is distributed through the TLV hub. Sand-gold dashed arcs are the connection legs from Chinese gateways to Tel Aviv, flown by Hainan Airlines or a third carrier rather than El Al metal; blue solid arcs are El Al belly distribution from TLV to Europe and North America. Actual points and schedules are confirmed by the carrier on the day.
Freight advantages for Chinese shippers
Israeli aviation security standards
El Al is known for strict aviation security procedures, and the Tel Aviv cargo terminal has dedicated inspection and escort arrangements for high-value and sensitive cargo, which suits Chinese exports of precision instruments, diamonds and valuables.
Eastern Mediterranean transit gateway
TLV sits where Europe, Asia and Africa meet, so Chinese cargo can connect at Tel Aviv to European, North American and Middle East points at once, covering several directions from a single hub and cutting the number of handlings.
Dangerous goods and perishables experience
El Al Cargo has experience with dangerous goods and perishables, and widebody bellies can be loaded to temperature control and segregation requirements, which suits Chinese pharmaceuticals, chemical samples and fresh cargo.
CAL code-share adds heavy cargo capacity
Freighter flights sold under LY codes are actually flown by CAL Boeing 747-400F aircraft, so Chinese shippers can add heavy and bulk capacity beyond the belly hold and combine capacity more flexibly.
787 long-haul belly capacity
The El Al long-haul fleet is led by the Boeing 787-9, still being delivered. The new-generation widebody balances fuel efficiency and payload and gives stable belly capacity for intercontinental cargo.
Two-way high-value flows
Chinese electronics and industrial goods outbound, pharmaceuticals and diamonds from Israel and via Europe on the return: both legs carry high value, match security and priority capacity needs and improve overall logistics economics.
Aircraft types and capacity mix
El Al Cargo has no freighters of its own. The last Boeing 747 freighter was returned to its lessor in July 2019, and capacity now comes entirely from passenger aircraft bellies and code-share freighters. On the belly side, the long-haul fleet is led by the Boeing 787-9, still being delivered, with Boeing 737-800/900 aircraft on short and medium haul and some Boeing 777-200ER retained for long haul. Heavy and bulk cargo is added on Boeing 747-400F freighters flown by CAL (Challenge Airlines IL) under LY sales codes.
Widebody bellies are loaded either in ULDs or loose. Piece weight and dimensions are limited by the cargo door and floor load, and over-weight or oversized pieces must be declared in advance. Accurate piece, weight and dimension data at the time of booking markedly improves the certainty of the loading plan. Exports involving dangerous goods, lithium batteries and magnetic cargo must be declared in advance under passenger belly restrictions, with acceptance confirmed jointly by us and the carrier. ULD types are matched to the aircraft on the route and to destination handling equipment, and the loading plan is confirmed by us and the carrier against capacity on the day.
Boeing 787-9
El Al's new-generation long-haul aircraft, still being delivered, balances fuel efficiency and payload. It flies long-haul routes from Tel Aviv to Europe and North America, offering stable belly capacity for high-value and time-sensitive cargo.
Boeing 777-200ER
Long-haul widebody retained by El Al, returning to service after the pandemic. Belly space is larger and suits routine shipments of small to medium general cargo and express freight over multiple legs.
Boeing 737-800 / 900
Flies short and medium-haul European routes from Tel Aviv. Belly capacity is limited and suits small to medium shipments connecting within Central and Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean, with piece size restrictions.
Boeing 747-400F (flown by CAL)
Freighter flights under LY sales codes are actually flown by CAL (5C) with Boeing 747-400F aircraft. The nose-loading door takes long and heavy pieces, adding bulk capacity on the China to Israel lane.
Aircraft payload figures are compiled from data published by manufacturers and airlines; actual payload is confirmed by the carrier on the day of booking. El Al has no freighters in its current fleet, and all 747 freighters have been returned to lessors.
Airports served in China and schedule connections
El Al operates no scheduled nonstop passenger or cargo service to China of its own. Nonstop China to Israel service is flown by Hainan Airlines, and Chinese cargo must connect to Tel Aviv TLV on a third carrier before entering the El Al belly network. The table gives connection paths for the main Chinese gateways; times are local and schedules change with the season, confirmed by the carrier on the day of booking.
| China origin ports | Connecting hub | Capacity type | Indicative schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing Capital PEK | Tel Aviv TLV | Hainan Airlines HU nonstop belly (may connect under LY sales codes) | Hainan Airlines about 2-3 flights a week, resumed April 2025; schedules change with the season and are confirmed by the carrier on the day of booking |
| Shenzhen Bao'an SZX | Tel Aviv TLV | Hainan Airlines HU seasonal nonstop belly | Hainan Airlines seasonal service opened June 2025; schedules change with the season and are confirmed by the carrier |
| Shanghai Pudong PVG | Tel Aviv TLV | No El Al nonstop; freighter flights under LY numbers are actually flown by CAL | No public schedule data for El Al nonstop services; heavy cargo can be booked through CAL (5C) channels |
| Hong Kong HKG / Guangzhou CAN | Connection via PEK, SZX or TLV | Belly hold / transit connections | No public schedule data for El Al freighter services; shipping through a nonstop gateway is recommended |
The carrier has no cargo sales office of its own in China; actual capacity and connections are confirmed by us on the day of booking.
Cargo booking and connection path in China
Submit shipping instructions
The shipper gives us the origin gateway, the destination city in Europe or North America, the commodity, piece weight and dimensions and the transit time requirement, and we use these to choose the best combination of belly capacity on the Beijing or Shenzhen nonstop and added CAL freighter capacity.
Confirm space and rate
We book belly capacity with the El Al local cargo agent in China or its partner sales channel, confirm freighter capacity separately through CAL (5C) for heavy cargo, and agree rates, ULD types and loading conditions.
Departure and transit connections
After handover at the Chinese gateway, cargo flies the nonstop leg from Beijing or Shenzhen to TLV and is distributed to the destination city in Europe or North America on the El Al connection plan, with connection time depending on that day's schedule.
Backhaul booking
Return shipments of pharmaceuticals, chemicals, diamonds and other high-value cargo from Israel and via Europe can be booked in reverse, moving through TLV and the same belly corridor back to a Chinese gateway, with security and temperature-controlled cargo handled under the relevant procedures.
During booking, over-weight or oversized pieces, temperature-controlled cargo and dangerous goods must be declared in advance so that we can confirm loading conditions and the ULD types required. Flight times are local and schedules change with the season, confirmed by the carrier on the day of booking. Israeli airspace may close at times because of the regional security situation; before booking we give shippers a list of rates, capacity and loading conditions and flag the operating risk, and urgent cargo can request priority capacity subject to carrier approval.
Specialist freight services from China
Secure carriage of high-value cargo.The Tel Aviv cargo terminal has dedicated security and inspection procedures for diamonds, precision instruments, jewellery and electronics. Chinese shippers of high-value exports can request priority capacity and declared value cover, and sensitive cargo is declared under carrier rules.
Dangerous goods and chemical declarations.El Al Cargo has dangerous goods experience. Exports involving dangerous goods, lithium batteries and magnetic cargo must be declared in advance under passenger belly and freighter restrictions, with acceptance and packing requirements confirmed jointly by us and the carrier.
Perishables and temperature-controlled cargo.The El Al network has perishables experience. Chinese exports of fresh samples and imported temperature-controlled commodities can be loaded by temperature band, with temperature-controlled containers and temperature records handled under the relevant procedures and confirmed by the carrier on the day.
CAL freighter capacity for heavy cargo.The Boeing 747-400F freighters sold under LY codes are flown by CAL. The nose-loading design takes long and heavy pieces, so bulk industrial goods and heavy cargo on the China to Israel lane can draw on this channel alongside belly capacity.
High-value consolidation on the return leg.Return cargo of pharmaceuticals, chemicals and diamonds from Israel and via Europe is high in value and suits small, frequent consolidation; we can consolidate at Tel Aviv or a European gateway and book by lot for the return, matching Chinese importers' replenishment cycles.
Electronic and IT product shipments.Chinese exports of communications equipment, consumer electronics and computer accessories suit belly capacity on the nonstop Beijing and Shenzhen services to TLV, with onward distribution from Tel Aviv to Europe and North America, covering several markets in both directions.
Managing operating volatility.Israeli airspace has closed at times because of security incidents. We flag the risk before booking and allow connection buffer, and where necessary switch to an alternative routing through a European gateway to limit the supply chain impact of delays.
Consolidation from China and multi-point delivery.Cargo from the Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta and Chengdu-Chongqing region can be consolidated on a domestic leg to the Beijing or Shenzhen nonstop gateway and shipped on one air waybill to TLV for distribution to several European countries, cutting the repeated handovers and handling cost of multi-point delivery.
China contact
El Al Cargo has no publicly listed cargo office of its own in China; sales and capacity under LY codes run through local freight agents and partner sales channels, and shipment status and flight information can be checked on elal.com. Nonstop passenger belly capacity on the China to Israel leg is flown by Hainan Airlines, and freighter capacity is operated by CAL (Challenge Airlines IL, IATA 5C) as ground handler at gateways such as Shanghai Pudong. Contact its local agent in China or ask us to make the connection; the latest schedules and any office changes are as published by the carrier.
Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited, website https://goodhope86.com, handles air freight from major Chinese gateways to Israel and onward through Tel Aviv to Europe and North America, covering booking at the Chinese gateway, connections at Tel Aviv, distribution in Europe and North America and return consolidation, and can help Chinese shippers reach El Al and CAL sales channels in China for current capacity and schedule information.