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• Murdo Morrison
The long-serving former chief executive of specialist parts manufacturer Ontic says the company’s growth will continue following a leadership change and the opening of a new UK maintenance, repair and overhaul hub. The developments mark a new phase for the business as it expands its aftermarket footprint.
Leadership
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The long-serving former chief executive of specialist parts manufacturer Ontic says the company’s growth will continue following a leadership change and the opening of a new UK maintenance, repair and overhaul hub. The developments mark a new phase for the business as it expands its aftermarket footprint.
Boards and candidate shortlists point to a widening gap between the capabilities airports will need and the experience of executives seeking the top job. By 2035, airport CEOs are expected to differ from their 2015 counterparts in experience, judgment and credibility, raising questions about how leadership talent is identified and developed.
High activity
Arik De has left Etihad Airways as chief revenue and commercial officer, ending a tenure of nearly five years. He joined the Abu Dhabi carrier in April 2022 and oversaw much of its commercial strategy; the airline has not named a successor.
Etihad’s chief commercial officer has left the airline with immediate effect, confirming his departure online. The carrier has not explained the reason for the exit; the executive’s farewell also conspicuously omitted one name, according to the report.
Russian carrier Red Wings has appointed commercial director Igor Ivliev as chief executive, tasking him with overseeing fleet modernization. The airline operates Russian-built aircraft including the Superjet 100 and Tu-204; no details of the modernization plan were provided.
Rocket Factory Augsburg has appointed Alexander Dahm as chief executive, tasking the aerospace operations executive with guiding development of its RFA ONE launcher toward its maiden flight. The move marks another change in leadership for the German launch developer, which named a new CEO last year.
Pegasus Airlines has completed its acquisition of Czech Airlines and Smartwings Group, then appointed Emre Pekesen as Smartwings’ chief executive and Nur Karabacak as finance chief. The leadership changes put Pegasus executives in charge of the Czech leisure-focused airline group, a longstanding operator in Central and Eastern Europe.
A former NASA associate administrator for science is joining Blue Origin to lead the company’s advanced technology work. The appointment brings senior NASA science leadership experience into the space company as it develops and advances new technologies.
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Hype's Leadership section provides a curated selection of news and in-depth analysis on the trailblazers and decision-makers in the aviation, defense, and space industries. This collection includes detailed coverage of leadership changes, executive appointments, and the strategic directions set by the industry's top figures, offering a clear view of the personalities driving aerospace innovation and corporate dynamics.
