CEO quits at Air France

The Air France-KLM saga took a new twist last week when long-serving Air France CEO Franck Terner resigned in the wake of the appointment of the new group boss and former Air Canada chief operating officer Ben Smith.

Smith has now been appointed to head both Air France and KLM until the end of the year, with Terner’s departure, while not unexpected, adding to the turmoil following the resignation over union problems of former group CEO Jean-Marc Janaillac in May.

Anne-Marie Couderc, chair of the Air France-KLM and Air France boards of directors, said Smith’s priority would be “to define Air France's strategic vision, find a solution to salary issues and set up a new company governance structure".

Smith added: "Air France has everything it needs to become one of the world leaders in the sector again. I am well aware of company employees' expectations, including salary issues. I wish to offer a new approach.”

Terner joined Air France in 1988 as a Concorde production engineer and after a series of management appointments leading to group executive vice-president engineering and maintenance became CEO in 2016. He was considered a candidate for group CEO before Smith’s appointment.

www.airfranceklm.com

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