View Poll Results: Should Alex Cruz (BA's Chief Executive and Chairman) step down or be replaced?
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Should Alex Cruz step down or be replaced? [FT poll]
#16
Moderator: Qatar Airways
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I'm a massive fan of Christoph Mueller.
He is brilliant at turning airlines around, aslong as he is left to do the job and others don't interfere (MH).
M
He is brilliant at turning airlines around, aslong as he is left to do the job and others don't interfere (MH).
M
#17
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: London
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I take it Willie is on holiday or hiding in a bunker somewhere.
I wonder whether BA will be holding a summer sale once this is all over - something good has got to come out of this, hasn't it?
#19
Join Date: May 2010
Location: UK
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#21
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2005
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I think the load is getting heavier for AC. Dumb cuts and problems like this weekend, continued bad press, not all his fault, may end up with his head on the block.
That said, I would say Hogan doesn't fit the IAG mold, and while he has done a good job creating premium products (Ansett, Gulf Air, Etihad) I don't think he has ever had financial success. As much as one can criticize WW and AC, they have done an excellent job running the financial side of the business, managing costs, etc.
Who would replace AC?
David Cush is an interesting choice with his long AA experience.
I think Simon Talling-Smith, former EVP and chairman of the AA/BA alliance, now CEO of Surf Air Europe would be an interesting choice - lot's of experience on the commercial side, but also formerly head of the onboard product so he has a pretty good understanding of smart cuts vs. dumb cuts.
That said, I would say Hogan doesn't fit the IAG mold, and while he has done a good job creating premium products (Ansett, Gulf Air, Etihad) I don't think he has ever had financial success. As much as one can criticize WW and AC, they have done an excellent job running the financial side of the business, managing costs, etc.
Who would replace AC?
David Cush is an interesting choice with his long AA experience.
I think Simon Talling-Smith, former EVP and chairman of the AA/BA alliance, now CEO of Surf Air Europe would be an interesting choice - lot's of experience on the commercial side, but also formerly head of the onboard product so he has a pretty good understanding of smart cuts vs. dumb cuts.
#22
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: London, UK
Posts: 136
What Hogan did with Etihad and Alitalia/AirBerlin, will never be forgotten in the industry. everyone knew Hogan will be "stepping down" from EY after the mess he made. I don't think what he did with Gulf air will be enough to ignore this. I never liked Cruz and never will, but Hogan won't be any better.
#23
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: MEL
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Posts: 250
Three years ago everyone in Australia (esp QF staff) thought Alan Joyce was the anti-Christ and QF had its fair share of massive stuff ups too. Today he's hailed as a National Hero and most QF staff have smiles. The airline industry is a treacherous beast. This too will pass...
#24
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 691
What Hogan did with Etihad and Alitalia/AirBerlin, will never be forgotten in the industry. everyone knew Hogan will be "stepping down" from EY after the mess he made. I don't think what he did with Gulf air will be enough to ignore this. I never liked Cruz and never will, but Hogan won't be any better.
#26
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Anyone who invests hundreds of millions of dollars in Alitalia cannot be taken seriously. Out here in the UAE Hogan's reputation is irrepairably damaged as Etihad tries to extract itself from the mess he created.
#28
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,771
The same James Hogan who is widely credited as being the "mastermind" behind all of the billions Etihad "invested" in failing second rate airlines (i.e. poured down the drain), which has necessitated cost cuts of an unprecedented scale and resulted in staff morale at an all-time low due to people getting sacked left, right and centre?
#29
Join Date: May 2010
Location: UK
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#30
Join Date: Oct 2007
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