Milton moves up
Robert Milton has turned the controls of Air Canada over to a relative newcomer, but remains close to the airline he led for five tumultuous years by remaining its chairman, as well as chairman and chief executive of Air Canada's new parent, ACE Aviation Holdings Inc.
Air Canada's new president and chief executive is Montie Brewer. He joined the airline in April 2002 as executive vice-president for commercial operations and is credited with much of the airline's recent success. He played a leading role in Air Canada's new business model, including its simplified fare structure, which has led to improving traffic results over the past six months.
Brewer was senior vice-president of planning at United Airlines before joining Air Canada, and also worked at Northwest, Republic and Trans World Airlines.
If preliminary reactions are any sign, Brewer may have better rapport than Milton with Air Canada's staff. Brewer stresses his need to gain the confidence of front-line workers. When Milton led Air Canada, labour relations were often confrontational, especially with the airline under pressure to cut costs.
One union official describes Brewer as "a well-balanced, good businessman with lots of experience. We think he is a creative guy and good for Air Canada."
DAVID KNIBB SEATTLE
Source: Airline Business
