PARIS: After 25 years of service with the carrier, Erik Varwijk, managing director of Air France-KLM Cargo has resigned effective from March 1.
The news comes at a time when the carrier is desperately trying to cut costs and boost revenues in its struggling cargo division.
The Dutch operator has had one win this week, however: KLM will keep control of its own finances. This follows suggestions that any extra cash from subsidiary companies in the airline group would be transferred to the holding company – in Paris.
However, after “intensive consultations”, according to the Nltimes, between group CEO Alexandre de Juniac and the supervisory board of KLM, the idea has been quashed. KLM’s board had expressed concern that money could be used to cover losses at Air France.
The Dutch government has become embroiled in the row and has admitted that it has no money for a rescue plan for KLM should the carrier go bankrupt.
The secretary of state for infrastructure, Wilma Mansveld, said the airline group must save itself – but the government had been concerned that it might “plunder” KLM’s finances.
One senior industry executive told The Loadstar: “After the board’s decision to scale down AF-KLM Cargo – ie, Martinair’s freighters – I was under the impression that Erik would manage this process.
“However the downscaling is a tough case, especially the issue of Martinair’s pilots. Most probably, the board is looking for a more experienced executive with specific skills needed with union negotiations. I hope that they have such a person on hand. There are a few good guys at AF-KLM Cargo.”
One name in the frame to take over is Marcel de Nooijer, managing director of Martinair and EVP KLM Cargo. One source said: “He could be asked to wind down Martinair and negotiate with the pilots. Then the job would be to find someone to focus on the bellies and KLM’s combis.”
