New Chairman of the Israeli Pilots Association: Captain Hagai Mayer

Hagai Mayer, 60, is an EL AL captain who has served on the Council of the Israeli Pilots Association for the past 11 years. He also serves as Vice President of the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) for the Middle East.

Mayer brings with him extensive aviation experience, with more than 10,000 flight hours accumulated in military and civilian aviation. He served as a fighter pilot in the Israeli Air Force, commanded operational squadrons, and has held a range of instructional positions in both military and civilian aviation.

He also has considerable diplomatic experience, having served as the IDF Attaché and representative of Israel’s Ministry of Defense in Italy, Greece and Serbia.

Following his election, the new Chairman, Captain Hagai Mayer, said:

“I am proud to assume the position of Chairman of the Association, and I would like to thank my predecessor, Captain Meidan Bar, who led the Association in becoming an influential organization within Israeli aviation and beyond.

“We are living through a complex geopolitical period in which aviation is a central strategic component—particularly for Israel, which is effectively an island nation and faces frequent fluctuations in its security environment.

“We will focus on the effort to ensure a strong and independent Israeli aviation sector; on supporting and developing the pilots of Israel’s commercial airlines; on preserving and developing aviation infrastructure appropriate to an advanced nation; on safety issues, alliances and international relations; and on strengthening aviation and the broader flying community in Israel.”