Italian carrier Alitalia has named a new management team following the recent appointment of CEO Silvano Cassano.
The appointments are effective from January 1 2015 and follow the recent merger with Etihad Airways, which saw the Gulf airline invest €560 million (£448 million) to save Alitalia from bankruptcy, as laid out in a deal signed in the summer.
Giancarlo Schisano has been appointed as chief operations officer. He will be responsible for operational performance, safety and security including leading the functions of flight operations, engineering and maintenance and ground operations, safety and quality.
Duncan Naysmith has been named chief financial officer of Alitalia and joins from Etihad Airways, where he served as VP of financial reporting.
Antonio Cuccuini has been confirmed as chief people and performance officer from his current role as Alitalia’s executive vice president of HR. He will be responsible for Alitalia’s entire HR function and will support the airline’s turnaround strategy through key activities such as HR management and development, compensation and benefits, and labour cost planning and controlling.
Ariodante Valeri will serve as chief commercial officer and Aubrey Tiedt has been appointed to the new position of chief customer officer and has over 20 years of aviation experience, including her most recent position as VP of guest services at Etihad Airways.
John Shepley has been appointed as Alitalia’s chief planning and strategy officer, with responsibility for pricing, capacity and revenue management, route and network planning, alliances and fleet.
The Italian airline said recruitment is still underway for a chief information technology officer who will report to the CEO.
CEO Cassano said: “Our new management team consists of seasoned, world-class executives with the experience, skills and determination needed to bring our ambitious turnaround strategy to fruition.
“Our comprehensive new business plan has a target of sustainable profitability from 2017, which we will achieve by developing a revitalised brand with a premium ‘Made in Italy’ concept, that will provide Italian travellers with improved connections worldwide, drive increased inbound tourism into the country, support Italy’s economic growth, and safeguard thousands of Italian jobs.”