Airline Cathay Pacific has announced that chief operating officer John Slosar will take over as chief executive next year when current head Tony Tyler leaves to head the industry lobby group IATA.
It comes as the airline announced new services for 2011, including regular Abu Dhabi-Hong Kong flights.
In a press release, the Hong Kong flag carrier said Mr Slosar would take up the post after Mr Tyler steps down on March 31. Mr Slosar, 54, was managing director of parent company Swire Pacific's beverage division before joining Cathay in 2007.
Mr Tyler, who served as IATA's chairman for a year from June 2009, will succeed Giovanni Bisignani as director-general and chief executive of the Geneva-based International Air Transport Association.
He helped bring Cathay through one of its toughest times during the global financial crisis, which saw a plunge in air travel and global export volumes.
Tyler told staff that after 32 years with the airline his move would be "a wrench", but added: "I know I will be leaving the company in extremely good hands."
Meanwhile Cathay has also announced it will be running flights from Abu Dhabi to Hong Kong from 2011. The four-times-weekly service starts on June 2 next year, with departures to and from Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Cathay currently offers a double daily operation from Dubai to Hong Kong.
