Community
Wiki Posts
Search

Ex KLM COO joining BA

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 6, 2022, 3:26 am
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Exec Club, HHonors
Posts: 313
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.
becks1 likes this.
robertf999 is offline  
Old Jul 6, 2022, 4:01 am
  #2  
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,198
Originally Posted by robertf999
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.
NoY and KARFA like this.
Sigwx is offline  
Old Jul 6, 2022, 4:27 am
  #3  
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: A3*G,BA Silver
Posts: 2,012
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.
ermis177 is offline  
Old Jul 6, 2022, 4:29 am
  #4  
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BKK
Programs: Mucci Chevalier de la Brosse a Cheveux Dore, SK *GfL, BA Gold, WY G, HH DIA, IC Plat Amb., Hertz PC
Posts: 3,702
Surely it cannot get any worse, so here's to hoping for brighter times ahead!
SKT-DK is online now  
Old Jul 6, 2022, 4:59 am
  #5  
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,926
"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
Tobias-UK is offline  
Old Jul 6, 2022, 5:15 am
  #6  
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: London. Edinburgh, Cornwall
Programs: BA GGL, British Midland Lifetime* Loser
Posts: 7,948
Originally Posted by Sigwx
Anything and anyone is better than the previous incumbent of the post.
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.
ajamieson is offline  
Old Jul 6, 2022, 6:21 am
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 5,656
Surely this is re-arranging the deckchairs? I mean KLM are clearly a paragon of operational reliability at the moment.
Markie likes this.
Dave_C is offline  
Old Jul 6, 2022, 6:24 am
  #8  
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,964
Originally Posted by Dave_C
Surely this is re-arranging the deckchairs? I mean KLM are clearly a paragon of operational reliability at the moment.
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.
becks1, stephenjc and Tocsin like this.
KARFA is offline  
Old Jul 6, 2022, 6:25 am
  #9  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Devon, UK
Programs: VS Silver; Matmid Silver, BA Bronze; Accor Plat.
Posts: 957
Boris might be available soon, maybe they should recruit him?
davidcamp6 is offline  
Old Jul 6, 2022, 6:29 am
  #10  
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,613
Originally Posted by Tobias-UK
René directs the airline’s operational strategy, with a focus on digital innovation (artificial intelligence and machine learning) and continuous improvement."
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...
DYKWIA is offline  
Old Jul 6, 2022, 6:30 am
  #11  
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,613
Originally Posted by davidcamp6
Boris might be available soon, maybe they should recruit him?
He'd be good on the EC261 Customer Service desk. Just make up some random lies to try and make the customers go away.
BA6501, MatJarosz, mmogdan and 4 others like this.
DYKWIA is offline  
Old Jul 6, 2022, 8:09 am
  #12  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Munich, Algarve, Sussex or S.F Bay Area
Programs: Mucci, BA Gold, A3*Gold, AA Plat, HH Gold, IHG Plat Amb, Marriott Plat
Posts: 4,163
Originally Posted by davidcamp6
Boris might be available soon, maybe they should recruit him?
That could be the AI product everybody is talking about.
davidcamp6 likes this.
Tafflyer is offline  
Old Jul 6, 2022, 9:20 am
  #13  
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Lincoln, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, IHG Spire Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 1,266
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.
HarryHolden68 is offline  
Old Jul 6, 2022, 9:28 am
  #14  
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD, LHR, FCO
Programs: BA Gold, etc. etc.
Posts: 1,402
"He said the current COO, Jason Mahoney, will become chief technical officer (CTO)" 🤦🏻‍♂️
Sigwx and pythonisman like this.
London Dude is offline  
Old Jul 6, 2022, 9:41 am
  #15  
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: London, UK
Programs: QF, TK, VA, SQ
Posts: 695
Originally Posted by London Dude
"He said the current COO, Jason Mahoney, will become chief technical officer (CTO)" 🤦🏻‍♂️
Particularly puzzling as the incoming exec is a specialist in digital innovation...
pythonisman is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.