[020711.EN.AIR] Cathay Pacific Makes Wide Range Of Senior Management Appointments

HONG K0NG's Cathay Pacific Airways has announced a number of new appointments among its senior management team together with new faces in key positions within the airline's subsidiaries.

Algernon Yau, the current general manager of Cathay's local airport operations, will become chief executive officer of Cathay Pacific Services Limited, the company that will operate the planned Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal.

Anna Thompson, currently general manager Southeast Asia, will become chief operating officer of Air Hong Kong, the regional all-cargo carrier 60 per cent owned by Cathay Pacific.

Philippe de Gentile-Williams has been appointed the new director of service delivery, responsible for overseeing all aspects of the airline's service both on the ground and in the air. He will take up the position early next month from Ivan Chu, who became chief operating officer at the end of March.

Mr de Gentile-Williams is currently CEO of Cathay Pacific Catering Services (HK) Limited and will be succeeded by Jenny Lam, currently the general manager. Mr de Gentile-Williams joined John Swire & Sons in 1988 in the trading division in Taiwan, Hong Kong and the Philippines from 1988 to 1997. He moved to Cathay Pacific in 1997 and has held positions with the airline in Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.

Other senior management appointments include Adrian Harley, who moves from general manager Taiwan & Korea to become general manager airports, and Paul Loo, currently general manager Cathay Pacific Loyalty Programmes, will become Cathay general manager at the airport.

THE International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced the appointment of former Cathay Pacific chief executive Tony Tyler to replace Giovanni Bisignani as head of the world's largest airline lobby.

IATA also announced the appointment of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines CEO Peter Hartmann as chairman, replacing David Bronczek of FedEx Express. Changes become effective on July 1.

Mr Tyler retired from Cathay in March after 33 years, the last four as CEO, and was much involved with the airline's role in handover of Hong Kong to China in the 1990s, several economic downturns and industry consolidation that included Cathay's purchase of Dragonair.

Mr Bisignani, former Alitalia CEO, has led IATA since 2002 through a period of dramatic financial ups and downs as well.

Said Mr Tyler: "Leading IATA is a heavy responsibility. My goal is to make the world a better place for airlines to do the important business of connecting 2.8 billion people and 48 million tonnes of cargo."

Said Mr Bisignani: "I am pleased to hand over the leadership of IATA to Tony. He brings all the right personal qualities and business experience needed to take IATA to even greater heights."

Source : HKSG, 11.06.11.