Two international airline executives have checked out of their jobs this week.
Philippine Airlines’ (PAL) 62-year-old president Jaime Bautista announced his retirement, quickly followed by Air New Zealand chief executive, Christopher Luxon.
PAL has named Vivienne Tan to take over operational control of the carrier. Tan has held senior roles at various companies in the LT Group, which owns PAL. She is the daughter of LT Group head and PAL chairman Lucio Tan.
PAL said its board has “accepted Bautista’s retirement after he expressed his desire to spend more time with his family”.
Tan has more than 25 years of professional experience in technology, education, entrepreneurship and social advocacy in industries such as education, airline and property development. She is no stranger to the inner workings of PAL having worked for the airline in various capacities since 2011.
Aside from PAL, she also sits as board member of Tan holding firm LT Group, Inc., Philippine National Bank, Eton Properties, Dynamic Holdings, University of the East. She holds a double degree in mathematics and computer science from the University of San Francisco.
Luxon resigned as CEO of Air New Zealand on Wednesday and will leave the company in September after seven years at the helm.
Air NZ chairman Tony Carter said the board had commenced an international search for a new chief executive.