El Al's chairman, Israel "Izzy" Borovich says he hopes to make Ben Gurion Airport a global hub for operations, where travelers can stop off on itineraries from North America to the Middle East and from the Middle East to Asia, and vice versa.

Borovich made the comment during a news conference in New York in which he also announced that Knafaim Arkia Holdings Ltd., which increased its ownership of El Al from 22 percent to 40 percent last December, now "fully intends to exercise its option to purchase the additional 12 percent of shares, raising its EL AL ownership to 52 percent."

Besides its role in El Al, the holding company also operates Arkia Israeli Airlines. Borovich has served as president of both the airline and the holding company.

“EL Al’s privatization is a big milestone in the aviation history of Israel and we know that it will bring great success and growth to the future of Israel’s national airline,” stated Nira Dror, El Al's vice president for North and Central America. “The plans to increase frequency to global destinations, combined with ongoing improvements to offer the best in passenger service will only add to EL Al’s status as a leading international carrier.”
  —Donald H. Harrison