July 15, 2010 - AeroMobile has appointed Telenor executive Pål Bjørdal as its new chief executive in succession to Bjørn-Taale Sandberg.

Mr Bjørdal is currently CEO of Telenor’s subsidiary, Maritime Communications Partner (MCP), the leading provider of international cellular services to the maritime sector. Pål will join AeroMobile on September 1, formally taking on his role from October 1 after shadowing Mr Sandberg for his first month.

Mr Sandberg, who has held a variety of senior executive roles within Telenor in the last 10 years,has been CEO of AeroMobile since early 2007. He returns to Telenor, AeroMobile’s parent company.

AeroMobile chairman Ragnar Korsaeth said: “Bjorn-Taale 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.

“Pål is joining at probably the most exciting time in AeroMobile’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.”

Mr Sandberg said: “After three and a half years with AeroMobile this is a natural move for me. In this time and through my team’s hard work and dedication, we have seen many world-firsts and are now defining the market. We are undisputedly best placed to take pole position in the in-flight cellular sector.

“The announcement of our recent customer commitments, with Panasonic Avionics, including Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific and Virgin Atlantic have made me very proud and I know I’m able to pass on to Pål a company in great shape.”

Mr Bjørdal said: “I’m joining a company with a great track record and look forward to building on the tremendous achievements of the team in recent months. Having worked with cellular telecoms on land and at sea, I look forward to delivering on the international airline commitments AeroMobile now have”
AeroMobile’s service – already used by 2.4 million passengers worldwide – is currently on nearly 80 aircraft operated by Emirates and Malaysian Airlines, with commitments in place for in excess of 400 further announced aircraft spanning Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, V Australia and Virgin Atlantic.

Mr Bjørdal has been with Telenor since 1999, initially as Chief Operating Officer – Strategy and Projects, Telenor Norkring before becoming CEO of Telenor MCP in 2007.