Search is on for new KLM chief

AMSTERDAM: Air France-KLM’s board has begun a search to replace the head of its Dutch arm in a move that could give chief fxecutive officer Ben Smith a fresh start in improving relations between its two flag carriers.

“Pieter Elbers will not enter into a third term as CEO and president of KLM,” the group said in a statement on Thursday. “This enables the supervisory board of KLM to start a thorough process for a successor in a timely manner.”

Elbers has had a tenuous hold on the job for some time due to his at-times troubled relations with Smith, who has sought to carry out reforms that would make the French and Dutch sides of the group cooperate more effectively.

The KLM chief survived a showdown two years ago only after Smith was handed greater governance powers.

A spokesman for Air FranceKLM declined to comment.