Jet Airways (India) Ltd, Gary Kenneth Toomey, CEO quits

In an unexpected move, Gary Kenneth Toomey, CEO, Jet Airways (India) Ltd, has resigned, just seven months after assuming the position. He was appointed last June on a three-year contract. “Gary Kenneth Toomey, Chief Executive of the company, has resigned with immediate effect,” Jet Airways said in a BSE filing.

Ravishankar Gopalakrishnan, Chief Financial Officer, Jet Airways (India) Ltd, will officiate as the ‘acting CEO’ till the Board appoints a new chief, the airline said, according to various reports.

It is, however, not yet known as to what led to the sudden exit of Toomey.

Prior to joining Jet, Toomey, an Australian national, had served as President and Chief Executive of Air New Zealand Group and CEO of Airlines PNG in Papua New Guinea.

Toomey was made the CEO of Jet Airways after the then CEO Nikos Kardassis quit the Naresh Goyal-promoted carrier over some alleged differences with Goyal over the stake sale to the Gulf carrier Etihad Airways PJSC.

Further, Jet Airways is likely to name Cramer Ball, Chief Executive, Air Seychelles, as its next CEO, according to two sources. Air Seychelles is a strategic partner of Etihad Airways, which is buying a 24 per cent stake in Jet Airways. Before joining Air Seychelles, Ball was Regional General Manager for Asia Pacific South and Australasia at Etihad Airways, which holds 40 per cent equity in Air Seychelles.

“Jet Airways has completed the interviews for the CEO post. Ball is tipped as CEO. An announcement is expected shortly,” one of the two sources said. A second person confirmed the development.

Ball has previously held senior management positions at Gulf Air, Qantas Airways Ltd, Kendell Airlines, and Ansett Australia/Air New Zealand.