Jerusalem, 14 July, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Dina Ben-Tal Ganancia, CEO of El Al Israel Airlines, will step down by the end of 2025 the airline confirmed.
Appointed in April 2022 amid the fallout from the COVID-19 crisis, Ben-Tal Ganancia led the national carrier through a turbulent period that included pandemic recovery, rising regional instability, and major disruptions to Israeli airspace due to conflict with Iran. Despite these challenges, El Al reported record profits under her leadership—largely driven by reduced competition on routes to and from Israel as foreign carriers scaled back operations.
With nearly 20 years at El Al, Ben-Tal Ganancia rose through key executive roles, including VP of Commercial and Industry Affairs and Director of Revenue Management. Her institutional knowledge proved critical in reshaping the airline’s strategy and internal operations.
During her tenure, she spearheaded labor reforms, secured deals to modernize the fleet with next-generation aircraft, and oversaw the expansion of international routes.
However, El Al’s profitability came with controversy. Rising airfare prices, driven by high demand and limited supply from foreign carriers, sparked public backlash—though the airline attributed the hikes to broader market conditions. El Al was the only airline offering direct flights between Israel and the US, as most international carriers suspended service during the war.
El Al reported a record net profit of $545 million in 2024, marking a 4.7-fold increase from 2023, according to the airline’s financial report released in March. Revenues surged 37% to $3.4 billion, driven in part by a 14% rise in average ticket prices.
In a statement, El Al praised Ben-Tal Ganancia for steering the company through “one of the most complex periods in its history.” Her early resignation announcement, the company said, reflects her commitment to ensuring stability during the transition and enabling a thorough CEO search.
