Chinese doors revolve
Top-level changes are in store at China's three largest airlines as the government seeks to bring younger blood into their operations following a sweeping consolidation exercise.
State-run media reported late in August that top executive changes were coming at Air China, China Eastern and China Southern Airlines. The reports said the changes were being carried out by the regulatory Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) as senior officials were due to retire.
Although full details have yet to be confirmed, CAAC vice-minister Liu Shaoyong is expected to replace Yan Zhiqing, 61, as president of China Southern's holding company, China Southern Airlines Holdings, and as chairman of the airline itself. In addition to controlling Guangzhou-based China Southern, the holding company also owns China Northern and Xinjiang Airlines.
The airline's president, Wang Changshun, 62, is set to become a vice-minister at the CAAC. It is unclear who will replace him as China Southern president.
Meanwhile China Eastern chairman and president of the airline's holding company, Ye Yigan, 61, is expected to be replaced by Li Fenghua, 55, who was president of the airline. Li has already been replaced as China Eastern president by ex-Yunnan Airlines general manager Luo Chaogeng, 54.
And at Air China, president Li Jiaxiang is expected to take on the additional role of head of parent company China National Aviation Holding (CNAH), replacing Wang Kaiyuan, 62, who is to retire. CNAH is the direct parent of Air China and the indirect parent of Air Macau and Hong Kong's Dragonair.
NICHOLAS IONIDES SINGAPORE
Source: Airline Business
