Jet Airways, on Friday, announced the resignation of its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nikos Kardassis, who has been handling the position for five years. Mr. Kardassis was on leave when the Jet- Etihad deal was signed recently.
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Jet Airways, Captain Hameed Ali, has been appointed as the interim CEO, Jet Airways said in a filing to the stock exchange. Mr. Kardassis resigned from the airline on June 5, 2013, it said.
“The board recognises the significant contributions made by Mr. Kardassis over five years to enable the company to secure its leadership position in the aviation industry,” Jet Airways said.
An old hand at Jet Airways, this was Mr Kardassis’s second stint with Jet.
Speculation was rife for the past several months, especially after Jet started negotiating with Etihad, that there would be a leadership change and Mr. Kardassis would leave.
Mr. Kardassis first joined Jet in 1994 and continued till 1999. He had also served as senior vice-president, the Americas, for Jet, prior to his appointment as the CEO.
The photo published earlier with this report was not that of Mr.Nikos Kardassis. The error is regretted.
