British Airways is expected within the next few weeks to name Ansett Australia executive chairman Rod Eddington as its new chief executive. If final negotiations are completed he will succeed Robert Ayling. Eddington was recruited by Ansett's 50% shareholder News Corporation in 1997, having previously occupied the top job at Cathay Pacific Airways in Hong Kong. He has successfully steered the Australian carrier towards viability after years of financial problems.
Ansett is in the middle of a takeover as Air New Zealand (ANZ) attempts to acquire the 50% of the airline it does not own. A senior airline source says Eddington is deeply involved in smoothing the waters as ANZ attempts to win regulatory approval from the Australian and New Zealand authorities to complete its takeover. "I think the finalisation of the deal will be his Ansett swansong," the source says.
Ansett has not denied speculation in the Australian press that Eddington will leave for BA.
Source: Flight International
