Smith joins Air France-KLM as chief executive

Saturday, August 18, 2018

Benjamin Smith has been selected by Air France-KLM as its next chief executive and will join from September 30.

At present he worked as the chief operating officer of Air Canada and played a major role over the past two decades and was the first overseas leader of Air France-KLM.

Anne-Marie Couderc, non-executive chairman of Air France-KLM mentioned that the arrival of Benjamin Smith will be good for the group. The world-renowned leader has successfully transformed Air Canada, he is a man who prefers dialogue and implemented the historical agreements with the airline’s social partners and other stakeholder.

Smith will replace Jean-Marc Janaillac as he stepped down from the organisation earlier this year due to protracted strikes and staff vote against pay.

The airline is facing union unrest and the industrial action has so far wiped more than €300 million off first half earnings.

Smith is confident that the Air France-KLM group will become the world’s leading players.

He was well aware of the challenges the group is facing and was convinced that the airline has strength to succeed. He was looking forward to work together in the highly competitive and fast-changing customer service industry.

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