Towards a Comprehensive Policy on Sustainability Issues

Meeting Summary: Sustainability – El Al Safety & Sustainability Division 7/10/26

Attendees:

• Head of Safety and Sustainability Division – Boaz Rosenman
• Environment, Sustainability, and Fuel Manager – Nira Markovitz
• Pilots Association Representative – Capt. Yoram Ronen
• Elad Maslaton
• Itai Levin
• Topaz Harel

Objective:

The Pilots Association initiated this meeting as the beginning of a pilot program to examine joint courses of action between the airline and the Association regarding sustainability and environmental protection. The intention is to hold additional meetings with the remaining airlines operating in Israel, the Israel Airports Authority (IAA / רש״ת), and the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI / רת״א), and to determine strategies and courses of action following this round of meetings.

General:

The department which operates under the Safety Division (which has changed its name to the Safety and Sustainability Division), handles many issues; however, in terms of awareness, it is still perceived as a fuel-savings department. Almost all activities are centered around specific, localized "initiatives" (per Nira's definition) aimed at fuel-saving processes (engine shutdown during taxiing, APU operation timing, etc.). The department initiates additional sustainability projects, such as transitioning to electric vehicles and saluting World Environment Day, but these are concentrated within the campus environment and do not reach the awareness of the flight crews. Furthermore, the fact that the department is nearly devoid of personnel and relies on localized "projects" rather than a comprehensive, cross-company strategy indicates that the company has not yet matured or does not see the need to operate at full strength in the field of sustainability, remaining entrenched in a worldview of firefighting and meeting minimum requirements.

Items Raised for Discussion:

1. Introduction of attendees and meeting objectives.
2. Sustainability Education for Pilots: The topic was presented in outline form. A concept was raised by Boaz to conduct training on the matter for initial and command courses. Our position is that the companies must generate a comprehensive policy for this issue rather than being dragged into localized solutions; therefore, it was decided that the Association will publish a position paper on the subject based on the IFALPA stance.
3. FlightPulse System: As part of the company's sustainability commitments for flying within European airspace, El Al purchased a system that operates on a data foundation similar to FOQA. It possesses many diverse capabilities that are currently underutilized. Until now, there was significant resistance from the division regarding the integration of the system due to the implementation of EF. Boaz raised the possibility of the Association conducting an evaluation of the system to formulate an opinion and recommendation, and to support the method of system implementation, even suggesting that I consider serving as the project manager for this matter. In a conversation with Mendel, it appears to be a GE system that will replace both FOQA and the debriefing system. (Link referenced in source: geaerospace.com)
4. Targeted Communication to Pilots: A significant gap was discovered in the Safety Division's communication—with an emphasis on sustainability and the environment—directed at the pilot community. They were surprised to learn that pilots do not read Atmosphere. While they have a method to send flash updates to the flight attendants' group, no such mechanism exists for the pilot community, who already receive a very large volume of operational notices through company channels. I suggested evaluating the use of the Association's communication channels with pilots for specific topics to enable direct communication with the target audience (the pilots) and to increase awareness regarding environment-sensitive flying and the airlines' actions on the matter.
5. Quarterly Fuel Reviews: A concept was raised by Boaz to integrate Association representatives as observers in El Al's quarterly fuel reviews. This matter naturally requires official approval, but the mere fact that the idea was raised emphasizes the seriousness with which the company views our outreach in supporting and promoting the field of sustainability among flight crews.
6. International Conferences: It turns out that the division intended to send a company representative to the IFALPA ADO working group. While I do not understand why—and this is naturally the company's prerogative—the mere fact that we sit on the committee will prevent such duplication in the future, provided we ensure the dissemination of information from the discussions to the general public.

Summary:

A good and efficient meeting that included an open discussion where numerous opportunities for cooperation between the El Al airline and the Pilots Association were raised. There is significant willingness and many opportunities for mutual contribution. A follow-up discussion will be scheduled once the action items are addressed.

Action Items:

1. Examine the possibility of using the Pilots Association's publication channels to promote specific topics of mutual interest to the Association and the airline. A discussion on this matter will be conducted in the Association Council.
2. Feasibility will be checked regarding cooperation in implementing the FlightPulse system by a representative of the Pilots Association. Following the initial review, a summary will be issued for the continuation of the Association's activities on the matter – Responsible: Yoram.
3. A draft position paper from the Pilots Association regarding sustainability education for pilots will be sent to El Al – Responsible: Yoram.
4. The possibility will be verified to integrate a Pilots Association representative into the quarterly fuel-saving reviews; the effectiveness of the move will be debriefed after the first meeting – Responsible: Boaz Rosenman.
5. Circulate summaries of working meetings at conferences and committees abroad (ECA, IFALPA, etc.) to the entire pilot community to share information and demonstrate an effective volume of activity for the benefit of the public – All.