Air France-KLM Announce Smith’s Appointment As CEO

The Air France-KLM Group has confirmed that Benjamin Smith will succeed Jean-Marc Janaillac as the Group’s Chairman.

In making the announcement, KLM President & CEAO, Pieter Elbers said: “I congratulate Ben Smith on his appointment and wish him the best of success. It is beneficial for the group that, following Jean-Marc Janaillac’s departure in May, we now have clarity on the new AFKL CEO. It is with great confidence that I look forward to working together and jointly tackling the challenges that face AFKL Group in future.”

That announcement came shortly after Air Canada had announced that it had been advised by Benjamin Smith, president, airlines and chief operating officer that he will resign his position effective Aug. 31, 2018 to accept a role as chief executive officer with a European-based, global airline.

Calin Rovinescu, president and chief executive officer of Air Canada, said: “We wish Ben well in his future endeavours and congratulate him on his appointment. On behalf of our Board of Directors, our executive team and our 30,000 employees, I thank Ben for his significant contributions in many various roles at Air Canada over the past two decades.”

Rovinescu continued: “There have been many architects of Air Canada’s highly successful transformation, and our deep and highly experienced leadership team will continue to deliver on our global ambitions, achieve our targets and drive our operational performance well into the future.”