Ignacio Cueto, brother to executive vice-president Enrique Cueto, is moving up in LAN Airlines as part of a major reshuffle of senior and middle management.
Ignacio is taking over as the airline’s general manager, a position second only to his brother Enrique. The two will now work closely together as LAN continues to grow as one of Latin America’s most successful airlines. Ignacio has worked his way up through the ranks as manager of both passengers and cargo, the airline’s two biggest operations. Now he will oversee both.
The general manager post that Ignacio assumes was held by Alejandro de la Fuente, who is well-known in the industry. While de la Fuente is handing over the controls, he will continue as LAN’s chief financial officer.
The promotion of Ignacio Cueto has set in chain a series of related appointments. Armando Valdivieso is returning from Miami to Santiago to take over Cueto’s former position as general manager of passengers.
Cristian Ureta is replacing Valdivieso as general cargo manager in Miami. Although LAN is based in Santiago, it operates its cargo business from Miami, Florida.
LAN has made several other appointments. Emilio del Real has replaced Susana Tonda as vice-president for organisation and processes. This post also oversees human resources, where del Real has worked since August.
Raimundo Martinez, formerly in Europe, has become sales manager for the airline. Francisco Vidal, formerly in Argentina, is the new general manager for Europe. And Carlos Aguirre has become director of LAN Ecuador.
DAVID KNIBB / SEATTLE
Source: Airline Business
