Air France-KLM Taps Ben Smith as New CEO
After much speculation comes official word that the Board of Directors of Air France-KLM has announced the appointment of Air Canada exec Benjamin Smith as Air France-KLM’s new CEO.
In a statement issued by the board, Air France-KLM notes that Smith has played a major role at Air Canada over the past two decades, most recently as Air Canada’s President Airlines and Chief Operating Officer.
A statement from Air Canada says Smith will resign his position with Air Canada effective Aug. 31.
Smith will replace former Air France CEO Jean-Marc Janaillac, who quit more than three months ago when staff turned down his offer of a pay deal aimed at halting a wave of strikes.
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Smith, who has acted as chief negotiator during labor talks for Air Canada’s Rouge, will come on board amidst growing labor turmoil on the tarmac in Europe.
Pilots at Air France, Brussels Airlines and Ryanair have all staged work stoppages in recent months.
Smith will take up his duties at Air France-KLM at the latest on Sept. 30. In the meantime, the board says the interim governance structure established on May 15, 2018 will remain in place. Anne-Marie Couderc, non-executive Chairman of the Air France-KLM and Air France Boards, and the Management Committee consisting of three members, will continue to perform their duties until Smith comes on board.
Upon arrival Smith will take over executive management of the Air France-KLM Group and will establish its organizational structure.
His priority will be to revitalize Air France, to give a new strategic impulse to the Group and to work on a new leadership approach with all Air France-KLM’s teams.
The Board also announced that Smith will be appointed as soon as possible as Director of Air France-KLM, with the full support of the French State.
The Board says it will pull together as quickly as possible an updated Group’s governance structure as regards to the roles and missions of the non-executive Chairmanship of Air France-KLM and Air France.
Source: Travelweek Group
