The Air France-KLM group is reportedly considering dividing its chief executive role after a suggested replacement to head up the entire group met with criticism from the management of other parts of the business.
The initial plan was to appoint a chief executive to lead Air France-KLM and the subsidiary Air France. However, subsidiary KLM and other airlines in the alliance were not happy with the proposed appointment of Philippe Capron, who would join the group from French utility and transport company Veolia.
French finance minister Bruno Le Maire has confirmed that Capron was one of several candidates for the job.
According to various media reports, KLM and Delta Airlines were concerned about Capron’s appointment due to his lack of experience in running a company.
The company is searching for a replacement for Jean-Marc Janaillac, who resigned after employees rejected a pay deal he put forward in a bid to end a series of strikes. In May, the company set up a transitional governance structure.