Telenor executive Pal Bjordal is to succeed Bjorn-Taale Sandberg as chief executive of the firm's subsidiary, in-flight mobile connectivity provider AeroMobile.
Bjordal currently works as CEO of Telenor's Maritime Communications Partner subsidiary, which provides international cellular services to the maritime sector.
He will join AeroMobile on 1 September, and formally assume his responsibilities from 1 October after shadowing Sandberg for the first month.
Sandberg has held a variety of senior executive roles within Telenor in the last 10 years, including holding the title of AeroMobile CEO since 2007. He will return to the Telenor parent company.
"Bjorn-Taale [Sandberg] leaves at a high point as demonstrated by the recently announced major customer wins. The in-service Emirates and Malaysia Airlines programmes also continue to be a reference point for the industry," says AeroMobile chairman Ragnar Korsaeth.
He adds that Bjordal is joining AeroMobile "at probably the most exciting time" in the company's history.
"He is able to build on a solid platform of existing customers at a time when we are beginning to achieve real scale with the business. Our service is increasingly being recognised as a must-have by major airlines throughout the world."
AeroMobile's service is in place on nearly 80 aircraft operated largely by Emirates but also Malaysian Airlines. Commitments are in place for in excess of 400 further announced aircraft.
Together with partner Panasonic, which brands AeroMobile's hardware as eXPhone, AeroMobile recently revealed connectivity deals with Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific and Virgin Atlantic. Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines and V Australia are also customers.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
