KQ picks CEO for low-cost subsidiary

Kenya Airways (KQ) has appointed Willem Alexander Hondius as chief executive officer of its new low-cost carrier subsidiary, Jambo Jet Limited. FILE
    
Kenya Airways (KQ) has appointed Willem Alexander Hondius as chief executive officer of its new low-cost carrier subsidiary, Jambo Jet Limited.

The airline, which is in the process of establishing the budget carrier, said the appointment of the CEO was a move closer to the realisation of this goal.

(Read: KQ’s low-cost licence open to rivals’ scrutiny)

KQ’s chief executive Titus Naikuni said the new CEO will report to the subsidiary’s board of directors, to be chaired by Ayisi Makatiani.

“Willem brings to the airline a wealth of experience in the aviation industry especially in the low-cost airline area and will be instrumental in steering the operations of the new carrier,” Mr Naikuni said, while announcing the appointment.

“There is still a lot of work to be done before operations start and this appointment is a major milestone in that process,” he added.

Before his appointment, Hondius was general manager for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines for Eastern Africa based in Nairobi since 2012 as well as project manager for Jambo Jet Limited.

Mr Hondius has also served as executive vice-president and chief commercial officer of Transavia Airlines a wholly-owned subsidiary of KLM.