EasyJet has appointed Johan Lundgren to succeed Carolyn McCall as the airline’s chief executive, ahead of her looming departure to ITV.
The company said the travel sector veteran – a former deputy chief executive at TUI – will take the controls on 1 December.
Ms McCall, who has spent seven years in the airline’s top job, will remain at the company until the end of the year to help Mr Lundgren with the transition, easyJet said.
He joins easyJet at a difficult time for the travel sector – with Brexit looming large on the horizon.
Image: Johan Lundgren is a travel industry veteran and former TUI executive. Pic: easyJet
EasyJet has moved to navigate the potential for disruption to its flights by applying for a new air operator’s certificate in Austria to allow it to continue flying in the European Union after Britain’s divorce from the bloc.
Announcing the appointment, easyJet chairman John Barton said: “Johan has proven experience in European travel as chief executive and in broader group roles.
“He is strategic yet operationally focused and has proved himself to be a customer-centric, charismatic and successful leader.
“Finally, I wanted to reiterate everyone at easyJet’s thanks to Carolyn for all she has done for the airline and to wish her well in her exciting new role.”
Image: Carolyn McCall has led easyJet since 2010 and will become ITV chief executive next year
EasyJet shares were broadly flat on the announcement.
Mr Lundgren said: “I have flown with and been a fan of easyJet and its wonderful people for many years.
“This is an exciting time to be joining Europe’s leading airline. Carolyn has built a fantastic team and with them I look forward to contributing to easyJet’s continued success.”
Mr Lundgren, the company said, would receive an annual salary of £740,000 with a maximum yearly bonus of 200% of that sum.
Under a long-term incentive plan his awards would be set at 250% of his salary, with a two-year holding period after vesting.
Source: Sky