JERUSALEM (Reuters) - El Al Israel Airlines said on Thursday it had signed a deal with Boeing for the purchase of up to 31 737 MAX aircraft worth as much as $2.5 billion.

El Al, Israel's flag carrier with an all-Boeing fleet, said the 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, although the carrier said it would consider bringing forward the operation of several 737 MAX aircraft to as early as 2027 through a dry lease.

The new planes will replace the airline's current short-haul fleet of ageing Boeing 737-800 and 737-900 aircraft.

(Reporting by Steven Scheer; editing by Jason Neely)