Air France-KLM chief executive steps down

Alexandre de Juniac is stepping down as CE of Air France-KLM after three years that were punctuated by profit warnings and clashes with trade unions.<br/>De Juniac is leaving the Franco-Dutch airline group to become director-general of the IATA, the main trade body for the aviation industry. His time at Air France-KLM was notable for his efforts to improve the group’s competitiveness through cost-cutting — de Juniac’s proposals prompted a 14-day strike by Air France pilots in 2014 that crippled the airline and ranked as the worst industrial dispute in its history. Air France-KLM, like other long-established aviation groups, is under strong pressure to improve its efficiency as fast-expanding Middle East carriers led by Emirates Airline increase their presence on long-haul routes. European budget airlines such as easyJet are also expanding their presence on short-haul routes. Air France-KLM said de Juniac had received an offer from Iata and had “indicated [to the board of directors] that he would accept the proposal”. The group has yet to finalise de Juniac’s successor. He is due to start his new role at Iata on August 1, replacing Tony Tyler, who has been DG since 2011. <br/>