Air France names new CEO

Air France-KLM has appointed Franck Terner, who is currently Air France-KLM EVP engineering and maintenance, as the next CEO of Air France. In a statement dated Nov. 3, but released to the group’s website on Nov. 2, the Franco-Dutch airline group confirmed the anticipated leadership change. Terner will succeed Frédéric Gagey, who will in turn become Air France-KLM CFO, replacing Pierre-François Riolacci whose departure was announced in July. “The Air France-KLM and Air France boards of directors met today [Nov. 2] and decided to change the group's governance, to support the implementation of the Trust Together project and to enhance the decision-making process. The functions of chairman and CEO of Air France are now separate, and Jean-Marc Janaillac, chairman of Air France-KLM has also been appointed chairman of Air France,” Air France-KLM said. Terner joined Air France in 1988 as a Concorde production engineer. He then worked his way through a series of maintenance roles, becoming head of aircraft maintenance at Air France subsidiary Regional in 2002. From here, he became EVP-operations and support at Regional and, in 2008, he became COO of Regional. In 2010, Terner was appointed Air France Industries VP and, since July 1, 2013, he has been Air France-KLM EVP-engineering and maintenance.<br/>