Bruce Ashby is to step down as oneworld CEO later this year, after more than five years leading the airline alliance.
He will stay at oneworld’s helm until June to facilitate the handover to his successor.
After accepting his resignation, the oneworld governing board began its search for a successor. Candidates from within the alliance and from outside will be considered.
Announcing his decision to move on, Bruce Ashby said: “It has been a privilege to lead oneworld and work with its collection of the world’s leading airlines, but after five years in this role it makes sense for me to move on.”
oneworld governing board chairman Ivan Chu, CEO of Cathay Pacific, added: “Bruce Ashby has led oneworld through a period of tremendous transformation, as the alliance added many more great member airlines, introduced more attractive services and benefits for our most loyal customers and increased the revenues generated for all our member airlines.
“I thank him for his outstanding contribution and for offering to stay on as we identify his successor.”
Since taking up his oneworld role in December 2010, as its central alliance team relocated from Vancouver to New York, Ashby has headed the group through the airline alliance’s expansion.
During this time, oneworld added 15 carriers as full or affiliate members, expanding the alliance’s capacity by almost 60% and its annual passenger carryings by 75%.
