Why It's so hard to find a new CE for Air France

Air France-KLM is scrambling to find a new top boss. The future recruit would be charged with resolving a bitter labour dispute, healing deep divisions between the carrier’s French and Dutch arms and improving profitability -- all on a salary that lags far behind peers. Even stripping away incentives and benefits, Air France-KLM paid its top executive a lower base salary last year than rivals. The board wants the new CE on board by July to replace Jean-Marc Janaillac, who last month became a casualty of the strikes. Workers are demanding a pay increase, something the airline likely can’t offer any leader poached from a European competitor. One possible contender being considered by directors is the head of Dutch arm KLM, Pieter Elbers. <br/>