New CEO at the helm of El Al airlines

Former Commander in Chief of the Israeli Air Force, General Eliezer Shkedi, is the new CEO of El Al airlines. Shkedi replaces Haim Romano who leaves El Al after 5 years in the role.

Former Commander in Chief of the Israeli Air Force, General Eliezer Shkedi, is the new CEO of El Al airlines. Shkedi replaces Haim Romano who leaves El Al after 5 years in the role. The board of El Al chose Shkedi over two other candidates, Giora Bar Dea and Shlomo Liran.

General Eliezer Shkedi, the 15th Commander in Chief of the Israel Air Force, holder of a B.Sc. in mathematics and computer science and a Masters degree in systems management, is expected to take office on January 1, 2010 at the completion of the handover from the outgoing CEO, Haim Romano. According to his personal work agreement, Romano will continue to receive a salary for the next 18 months.

Amikam Cohen, chairman of El Al, congratulated the new CEO wishing him every success and thanked Haim Romano on all that he achieved during his 5 years in charge of El Al.

This is General Shkediโ€™s first appointment since being discharged from the armed forces where he was Commander in Chief of the Israeli Air Force. Shkedi responded to his appointment by saying: โ€œLeading El Al presents a great challenge, and I like challenges. I would like to thank the board of directors on their choice and in their trust in me, and I believe that in addition to being a public company, El Al is a strategic asset for Israel, with real meaning to all Israeli citizens and for Jews around the world.”

A spokesperson for El Al also sought to clarify that company chairman Amikam Cohen will continue in his role and that his departure is not on the agenda during 2010.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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