Pursuits

Air France Turns to Old Hand Spinetta as CEO Gourgeon Ousted

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By Andrea Rothman

October 18, 2011 at 8:07 AM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Air France-KLM Group recalled Jean-Cyril Spinetta, 68, as chief executive officer and ousted Pierre-Henri Gourgeon amid slumping earnings and questions regarding the role of pilots in a fatal crash.

CEO since January 2009, 65-year-old Gourgeon had been slated to stay until 2013. Instead he quit after a board meeting late yesterday, with Chairman Spinetta taking charge until Air France-KLM adopts a single corporate structure that year.