British Airways this month appointed Martin George to the newly created position of commercial director, combining his current responsibilities as director of marketing and commercial development with those previously handled by worldwide sales director Dale Moss. Moss is resigning from the company at the end of June.
George assumes his new position next month, overseeing all global sales and marketing activities in the new commercial department and reporting directly to CEO Rod Eddington. He has been with British Airways since 1987 in various sales and marketing posts. In 1997, he was named director of marketing.
George will be supported by Robert Boyle, who was promoted from general manager of fleet and network planning to director of commercial planning. British Airways said the exact structure of the commercial department would be announced in a few weeks. It was created to promote greater coordination between sales and marketing and to advance a "unified commercial agenda." It also will help the airline reduce headcount.
Moss, an American citizen and 30-year British Airways veteran, had served as director of worldwide sales since October 1998
(BTN, Oct. 5, 1998). "Dale has been a terrific contributor with some very good competitive insights," Eddington said during a recent interview
(BTN, May 10). "He has finally decided to go home. I knew that day would come some day, and I am sorry to lose him."
Eddington deflected speculation that he, too, soon would be leaving the airline in favor of returning to his native Australia. "I have said that this is my last job in aviation, but I have a couple of laps in me yet."
Stateside, three major U.S. carriers recently named new sales leaders. Delta Air Lines this month promoted senior vice president Paul Matsen to chief marketing officer, responsible for sales, distribution, pricing, revenue management, international, alliances, consumer marketing and the low-fare Song subsidiary. Senior vice president Lee Macenczak, formerly head of sales and distribution, was named chief human resources officer, with duties that include labor relations. CEO Gerald Grinstein has said he doesn't plan to name a president, but the carrier expects to announce additional appointments soon, including a new vice president of sales.
At US Airways, the carrier completed the realignment of the sales, international and cargo divisions. Doug Leo officially was named vice president of sales and maintains his responsibilities as vice president of international. Leo in February assumed the top sales post on an interim basis following the departure of Steve Tracas, who recently signed on as president of Orbitz for Business
(BTN, June 7). Two US Airways management positions, including a sales vice president, were not filled as the company "optimized existing staff."
America West Airlines, meanwhile, moved Joette Schmidt into the vice president of sales position, replacing Ron Cole, who was named vice president of customers and inflight services.