Hungarian flag carrier Malev has appointed the chief executive of its ground handling arm, Lóránt Limburger, as the airline's acting chief executive.
Limburger assumed the new role on 1 June.
Malev's former chief, Martin Gauss, resigned from the position in March 2011 in a row over his pay levels. He agreed to remain with the company to play an "active part in the management" until the end of May.
Malev expects "long negotiations" with the Russian-backed minority stakeholder AirBridge Zrt until the appointment can be permanently formalised, said the airline. However, there are no other candidates for the job.
Limburger joined Malev Ground Handling in 1993 and became the division's chief executive in 2007.
The Hungarian government is trying to take over or find a private investor for the remaining 5% stake in Malev, which AirBridge Zrt still holds.
The firm, an affiliate of Russia's AirUnion, acquired Malév in 2007 but the Hungarian government later repurchased 95% of its stock through its MNV holding company.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
