Amsterdam To Be New SkyTeam Headquarters
Click here for more news / Clique aqui para mais notícias
Darren Shannon darren_shannon@aviationweek.com
SkyTeam has picked Amsterdam as the base for a new global headquarters, and has bolstered its recently announced centralized management team with six new executives.
This core management team will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the alliance, including marketing, sales, airport synergies and transfer product, cargo, advertising, finance, corporate communications and alliance administration.
"SkyTeam has operated as a virtual entity since its inception. However, as the industry becomes increasingly complex and the alliance continues to pursue global growth, the transition to a central management structure remains a top priority," said Marie-Joseph Male, who in April was named managing of the new management team.
"We have already made significant progress, and the alliance is working diligently to ensure the office is up and running no later than fourth quarter of 2009."
That office will be based at Schiphol Airport, home to SkyTeam member KLM. "Amsterdam is centrally located in a time zone strategic to SkyTeam's partners across the globe, and with a major SkyTeam hub at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, the offices are easily accessible."
In addition to Male, SkyTeam's management will include executives from six member carriers. These include Min Zeng of China Southern Airlines, who has been named deputy managing director in charge of membership development; Alitalia's Mauro Oretti as VP for sales and marketing; and Gordon Humpherys, who leaves his role as director of North Atlantic operations at Delta Air Lines' Northwest Airlines subsidiary to become the alliance's VP, airport services.
Korean Air's SkyTeam manager also joins the management team as VP, alliance operations, while Air France's Jean-Guy Lengline has been named VP, support and services. KLM's Fatima da Gloria de Souza will head SkyTeam's corporate communications and brand department as a director.
SkyTeam expects to appoint as many as 20 employees.
"We were committed to identifying the right talent for each executive position and are proud to have created a uniquely international and multi-cultural team," said Male. "This shows SkyTeam's commitment to integrating the expertise of its partner airlines in the pursuit of the alliance's business objectives."
He continued, "The transition to a centralized management structure will further support worldwide growth of the alliance today and for the future. We are excited to help drive forward SkyTeam's initiatives and to continue to achieve success through the collaboration of all 10 alliance members."
Image credit: SkyTeam
