VA shakes up its top ranks

BTN News
Friday, 24 June 2016

Virgin Australia (VA) has hired global aviation consultant John Thomas to lead its main domestic and international operations.


The hire was part of a major restructure of the airline that could cut management jobs by 10 per cent and leave ceo John Borghetti free to focus on the airline's increasingly Chinese partnership relationships. Both China’s HNA and Nanshan groups have taken significant stakes in VA in the past few days.


The restructure will create four separate business units, each with its own profit centre. This includes the airline's Velocity frequent flyer, low-cost Tiger Airways and regional and freight operations.


The domestic and international business Thomas will lead will encompass flight and ground operations, cabin crew, engineering, network, sales, marketing and other functions.


Chief operating officer Gary Hammes, chief commercial officer Judith Crompton and chief customer officer Mark Hassell now will report directly to Thomas instead of Borghetti.


Virgin last week announced plans to raise more than A$1 billion from its airline stakeholders to repair its balance sheet.

VA shakes up its top ranks

BTN News
Friday, 24 June 2016

Virgin Australia (VA) has hired global aviation consultant John Thomas to lead its main domestic and international operations.


The hire was part of a major restructure of the airline that could cut management jobs by 10 per cent and leave ceo John Borghetti free to focus on the airline's increasingly Chinese partnership relationships. Both China’s HNA and Nanshan groups have taken significant stakes in VA in the past few days.


The restructure will create four separate business units, each with its own profit centre. This includes the airline's Velocity frequent flyer, low-cost Tiger Airways and regional and freight operations.


The domestic and international business Thomas will lead will encompass flight and ground operations, cabin crew, engineering, network, sales, marketing and other functions.


Chief operating officer Gary Hammes, chief commercial officer Judith Crompton and chief customer officer Mark Hassell now will report directly to Thomas instead of Borghetti.


Virgin last week announced plans to raise more than A$1 billion from its airline stakeholders to repair its balance sheet.