Flybe’s architect steps down from airline after two decades
FLYBE chairman Jim French has left the airline after more than 20 years, as the firm’s new boss ploughs on with a restructuring.
French, who was chairman and chief executive until the role was split in the summer, will be replaced by Quintain non-executive director Simon Laffin with immediate effect, the firm announced yesterday.
“Jim French deserves recognition as the architect of Flybe’s development into a leading regional airline and, on behalf of everyone at Flybe, I would like to thank him for his contribution over many years,” said new chief executive Saad Hammad.
Hammad kicked off a strategic review of the business when he took the reins in August, as he tried to reverse the slump in regional short-haul air travel.
Flybe sold its landing slots at Gatwick to EasyJet earlier this year, raising £20m. The firm’s shares closed up 2.9 per cent.