Air France-KLM to be run by interim management committee
Air France-KLM is to be run by a three-member management committee until a permanent replacement for group CEO Jean-Marc Janaillac is named.
At today’s board meeting, directors thanked Janaillac for his ‘commitment’ to the company and ‘for the results achieved since taking office in 2016, which have enabled Air France-KLM’s successful turnaround and growth’.
Directors also apologised to Air France customers for the misery caused by a series of strikes this year as unions rejected pay offers. Janaillac, who resigned on May 4, had previously threatened to go if employees did not accept his latest pay deal.
"The members of the Air France-KLM Board of Directors wish to express their deep regret over the successive strikes affecting Air France customers in recent weeks and disrupting their travel plans," the board said.
"These strikes will also have a negative impact on the Group’s financial results," it warned.
It added: "The Board recognises Jean-Marc Janaillac’s courageous decision and sincerely hopes that it will open the way to the conditions for a transformation at Air France and fresh momentum for Air France-KLM."
The three-member management committee – or Comité de Direction Collégiale (CDC) – consists of Air France-KLM chief financial officer Frédéric Gagey, who will serve as the Group’s CEO; Air France CEO Franck Terner and KLM CEO Pieter Elbers, both serving as deputy Group CEOs.
Each of the three members will continue to perform their current duties. Gagey will act as spokesperson of the CDC.
Existing board member Anne-Marie Couderc (pictured) has been named non-executive chairman.
After the meeting, Air France-KLM said: "The decisions of the CDC will be taken collectively by its three members. The role of the CDC will be to oversee and monitor the Group functions and coordinate strategic matters between the Group and its airlines.
Anne-Marie Couderc added: "The Board of Directors has complete faith in the ability of the management committee and the group executive committee to manage the group’s activities during this transition period.
"The Board also asks them to continue the work already under way on Air France-KLM’s medium-term strategic plan, a task which will be handed over to the Group’s future governance.
"For my part, I will pay particular attention to strengthening the group’s cohesion throughout this period."
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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