Peter Spencer, one of the most respected men in British commercial aviation, has joined bmi as managing director mainline operations. The appointment comes at a time when bmi is planning a major expansion with the takeover of BMED and its routes into the Middle East and central Asia.
During the early part of his career, Spencer spent 25 years with British Airways in a variety of senior operational and commercial roles, including director Americas, general manager Asia Pacific and head of UK sales.
Following a two-year spell as advisor to the chief executive of Qatar Airways, he was appointed managing director of Maersk Air and then became chief executive of Duo Airways following a management buyout in 2003.
He later rejoined Qatar Airways where he was responsible for commercial operations in Europe and the Americas and general manager, commercial operations worldwide, based in Doha.
Spencer has an honours degree in geology and geography and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. He is an Arabic speaker and attended the Middle East Centre for Arabic Studies.
At bmi he reports to Nigel Turner, group CEO since October 2004, and also Tim Bye, deputy chief executive and the airline”s former legal director, now responsible for corporate communications, industry and government affairs.