December 27 (SeeNews) - Flag carrier Air Serbia announced that Dane Kondic has stepped down after four and a half years as chief executive officer for personal reasons.
Duncan Naysmith, who is currently the airline’s chief financial and business transformation officer, has been appointed as interim chief executive officer while the airline embarks on a search for a permanent replacement for Kondic, Air Serbia said in a statement on Monday.
Naysmith brings more than 12 years of senior airline management experience.
Consistent with the company’s leadership transition plan, Naysmith will assume full management responsibilities effective immediately, with a handover period in place until Kondic leaves Air Serbia at the end of January 2018.
"On behalf of the Supervisory Board, I extend my personal thanks to Dane Kondic, who during his tenure has overseen a period of significant achievements and milestones including the expansion of the route network, which extends as far as New York, the upgrade of the product, the introduction of a modern fleet, and an improved financial performance," Sinisa Mali, chairman of the supervisory board of Air Serbia and mayor of Belgrade, said in the statement.
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, which holds a 49% equity stake in Air Serbia, also commended Kondic on his achievements as the airline’s CEO.
"The new leadership will focus on a clear strategy to meet the challenges ahead and ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for the airline," Kevin Knight, Etihad Aviation Group chief strategy and planning officer and vice chairman of the board of Air Serbia, said.
In July, Air Serbia announced it carried 1.12 million passengers during the first six months of 2017, up 3% year-on-year, and achieved an average load factor of 70.5%.