Ex KLM COO joining BA
 

Breaking news: KLM COO Rene de Groot is to join British Airways as new Chief Operating Officer. He is leaving KLM on 15 July. I'm hoping this is good news.

Anything and anyone is better than the previous incumbent of the post. Some permanent departures are still required.

From FT “As you can imagine, René is very familiar with the issues that we’ve been grappling with . . . I am confident that René will help us to rebuild our airline and become a better BA,” Doyle wrote in the email.

Surely it cannot get any worse, so here's to hoping for brighter times ahead!

"As the unprecedented scale of summer cancellations at British Airways becomes apparent, the airline is bringing in a new executive to head up its operations.

In a bid to impose some order on autumn and winter schedules, the carrier has hired a senior figure at the Dutch airline KLM as chief operating officer (COO).

René de Groot currently has the same role at the Amsterdam-based carrier, as well as having the title of managing director.

The news was revealed in a message to BA managers by Sean Doyle, chief executive and executive chairman of British Airways.

He said the current COO, Jason Mahoney, will become chief technical officer (CTO)...

... The message from Mr Doyle says: “In his present role, René directs the airline’s operational strategy, with a focus on digital innovation (artificial intelligence and machine learning) and continuous improvement."

Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/travel...-b2116882.html

I understand the thrust of the post but not sure I share the confidence. Operations were fairly reliable pre-pandemic and during the first year of lockdowns. On top of that, KLM does not enjoy any better labour relations than BA/IAG.

Surely this is re-arranging the deckchairs? I mean KLM are clearly a paragon of operational reliability at the moment. :rolleyes:

If reliability is what you are after BA should be headhunting from FR atm.

Tbh I think it is less about the person, and more about what they are allowed to spend money on. If you still told you have to pursue the cost cutting strategy then it's going to be difficult to make positive improvements.

Boris might be available soon, maybe they should recruit him?

The latest Buzzword Bingo terms...

Any new product launch must include AI.

In reality is will be a Chatbot that knows nothing. "Speak to an Agent", "Speak to an Agent" etc...

He'd be good on the EC261 Customer Service desk. Just make up some random lies to try and make the customers go away.

That could be the AI product everybody is talking about.

I have just heard a fabulous saying this afternoon that sums up flying in Europe at the moment:
"When the tide goes out, you see who has been swimming naked".
Still tittering.

Particularly puzzling as the incoming exec is a specialist in digital innovation...

Is CTO a new post for BA? Or just a way for the incumbent to leave with a face saving parachute?

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d2345d67bc.jpg

Edit: Sorry...wrong type of coo.

I guess being a point to point operator (and not having missed connections to sort out) makes life a lot easier.

Possibly. But if that really was a main factor why is U2 at the opposite end of the performance table?

Oh it wasn’t difficult with zero ATC restrictions in the midst of the pandemic, but staff relations were anything but cordial and remain thus….what’s been announced I dare say is just the tip of the iceberg with regards to the various departments involved. There is a very high level of toxicity that needs removing and just like No.10, certain individual refuse to read the room and accept their fate.

There isn’t a rat in hell’s change he’ll be trusted with zeros and ones of IT. His remit is merely technical in terms of the fleet of aircraft.

Frying pan to fire, or vice-versa?

Will they keep the middle deckchair free?

Uh-oh!! They will not be happy. I don’t think good enough for him.

At that point they could rename the airline Sun-Air of Britain or Levelled Up Jet. ;)

As long as the Marcel Wanders snack boxes don't make the hop across the North Sea with him ;)