Europe-based freight carrier Cargolux Airlines has let go of its newly minted senior vice president for the Asia-Pacific region just two months after his appointment.
Cargolux said Robert Song was leaving the company with immediate effect, adding that they are looking at a possible consultancy arrangement with the executive.
Song joined Cargolux in March this year. He was supposed to spearhead the task of maintaining and strengthening Cargolux’s market position in the Asia-Pacific region.
Taking over from Song effective immediately is Kevin Shek, who leads the airline’s sales activities in the Asia-Pacific, said the airline.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways announced new appointments to its top and senior management ranks.
Its subsidiary Dragonair has hired Algernon Yau as its new chief executive officer effective from the summer of 2014.
Since July 2011, Yau has been the CEO of Cathay Pacific Services, the wholly owned subsidiary of Cathay Pacific Airways that operates the new Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal at Hong Kong International Airport. He is responsible for leading and overseeing the development and execution of the company’s long-term business strategy.
Before taking up his current position, Yau was general manager for Hong Kong International Airport, overseeing Cathay Pacific’s ground operations at the airport.
Yau started his aviation career with Cathay Pacific in 1982, working in a number of airport-related positions, and then joined Dragonair in 1994. The other senior appointments he has held within the Cathay Pacific group included general manager of ground services and international affairs for Dragonair.
The current CEO of Dragonair, Patrick Yeung, will become the group’s general manager for Taiwan and Korea, overseeing the business and operations of both Cathay Pacific and Dragonair in these two locations.
At the same time, Cathay Pacific has appointed three new directors to the airline, all appointments to be effective from the summer of 2014.
Dane Cheng will take up the position of director for sales and marketing, responsible for all sales and marketing activities worldwide for both Cathay Pacific and Dragonair. Cheng joined the Cathay Pacific group as a management trainee in 1986 and has worked in a number of managerial positions in Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Japan, and Australia. His current position is general manager for China.
Cheng replaces Rupert Hogg in the director role, following Hogg’s appointment as the airline’s chief operating officer.
James Ginns will become director of service delivery, responsible for overseeing all aspects of the airline’s service both on the ground and in the air. Ginns joined the group in September 1991 and has held a number of key positions within the airline in Hong Kong, France, Indonesia, Singapore, and Japan. Currently he is general manager for in-flight services. He replaces Philippe de Gentile-Williams who will take up a senior management position at Swire Properties.
James Tong will become director of corporate affairs, overseeing every aspect of the airline’s activities in government relations, corporate communications, and environmental affairs. Tong joined the group in 1987 and has held a number of senior positions in Cathay Pacific, Dragonair, and Air Hong Kong. He is currently general manager of revenue management. The current director of corporate affairs, Chitty Cheung, is leaving Cathay Pacific after 27 years of service to pursue other interests.
“We are pleased to announce the appointment of these three new directors who bring with them extensive experience in the aviation industry and a deep understanding of the business and operations of Cathay Pacific and Dragonair,” said Cathay Pacific chief executive Ivan Chu. “ I am sure they will add strength and depth to our senior management team.”
Photo: Aero Icarus
