JERUSALEM, Aug 15 (Reuters) - El Al Israel Airlines

reported a nearly 150% jump in profit on Thursday,

taking advantage of its near-monopoly status with many foreign

carriers having cancelled flights amid the war in Gaza and

raising clients' ire over high fares.

Separately, El Al announced a deal with Boeing ( BA ) for

the purchase of up to 31 737 MAX aircraft worth as much as $2.5

billion.

Israel's flag carrier posted a second-quarter net profit of

$147 million, up from $59 million a year earlier before the war

with Hamas militants in Gaza that began on Oct. 7.

Revenue jumped 33% to $839 million, while its passenger load

factor rose to 92% from 87%, even as it expended capacity by 8%.

El Al has been criticized by customers in Israel and abroad

over its price-gouging, as it has emerged as a near-monopoly

since the Gaza war triggered by the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks in

Israel. El Al has benefited as rivals have frequently cancelled

services due to the security situation.

The carrier declined to comment on the issue on

Thursday, but in the past, has denied claims of sky-high

airfares, saying demand has been high and supply limited,

pushing up prices.

After resuming flights in June, many air carriers have

once again cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv, some of them

until 2025, amid threats of a

possible attack

on Israel by Iran and its proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon.

"The last few days prove to us in particular how fragile

the concept of "open skies" is in relation to Israel," said El

Al chief executive, Dina Ben-Tal Ganancia, in a statement.

She said during the second quarter, Israelis sought

"aviation certainty," and demand for El Al flights continued

despite the gradual return of some foreign airlines.

Over the first half of 2024, there was a nearly 50% drop

in passenger traffic at Ben Gurion Airport to 6 million. With 3

million - up 15% from the first half of 2023 - El Al held a 50%

market share of traffic.

El Al, which has an all-Boeing ( BA ) fleet, said the aircraft

agreement includes the purchase of 20 737 MAX airliners for $1.5

billion and options for 11 more. Delivery is expected to begin

in 2028.

Its Tel Aviv-listed shares were down 1.1% in afternoon

trading.