MIAMI- At the Calcalist and Bank Leumi conference in Miami, El Al Israel Airlines (LY) CEO Dina Ben-Tal Ganancia emphasized the airline’s commitment to supporting Israel’s high-tech sector.
“We are attentive to the challenges facing the high-tech industry and are dedicated to assisting. Despite a severe shortage of seats across all destinations, we are actively engaging with company representatives to develop tailored solutions. A dedicated business team will focus on ensuring seat availability for selected routes,” she stated.
EL AL Israel Airlines CEO Talk
Ganancia also addressed widespread public criticism of El Al amid ongoing disruptions in Israel’s aviation sector.
“Since the onset of the war, foreign airlines abruptly stopped flying to Israel and have yet to return—a situation unprecedented in the country’s history. In such circumstances, no single airline, regardless of its capabilities, can fully meet the overwhelming demand while grappling with a critical seat shortage that also influences prices,” she explained.
Acknowledging public frustration, Ganancia defended El Al’s efforts. “We understand the public’s dissatisfaction, but the reality tells a different story. We are maximizing seat availability, particularly on high-demand routes to North America and Asia. Additionally, we’ve implemented fixed-price flights to key international hubs such as Cyprus, Greece, Vienna, and Dubai to offer passengers cost-effective alternatives,” she noted.
Ganancia highlighted the broader context of the global aviation industry’s challenges since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“High prices are not unique to Israel; they reflect a worldwide trend in aviation. While the situation remains difficult, we remain committed to adapting and serving our passengers to the best of our abilities,” she concluded.
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Why Foreign Airlines Not Resuming Flights?
El Al CEO Dina Ben-Tal Ganancia explained why foreign airlines have not resumed flights to Israel, citing worker and union concerns.
“Many airline workers refuse overnight stays in Israel, viewing it as a war zone. Additionally, insurance companies often hesitate to cover flights to Israel, creating a significant barrier. Resolving this requires political and strategic action. The state must implement measures to reassure foreign airlines. El Al is ready to cooperate and share any necessary information to aid this process,” she said.
Ganancia detailed El Al’s role in complex rescue missions, including the recent evacuation of Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from Amsterdam after violent attacks.
“These rescue operations, including flights on Shabbat—a day we usually do not operate—demand military-level precision. We manage them through a dedicated war room, adjusting schedules significantly. Resynchronizing our flight schedule afterward can take up to 12 days. Despite these challenges, our team is trained to handle such dynamic situations,” she explained.
She also shared a moving encounter with an abductee recently freed from captivity in Gaza. The individual met with El Al employees, recounting her experience.
Ganancia expressed hope for the safe return of all abductees, emphasizing the airline’s continued commitment to support those in need.
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