Kristin Colvile is to head the SkyTeam global airline alliance, moving from US member Delta Air Lines.
Former SkyTeam chief executive and managing director Perry Cantarutti will be returning to Delta as senior vice president of alliances.
Colville’s appointment as chief executive of the 20-member airline collective follows more than 25 years’ industry experience including leadership roles in numerous divisions of Delta and Northwest Airlines since joining the company in 1993.
She most recently led Delta’s cargo enterprise through a highly successful multi-year transformation.
Colvile will be tasked with building on the “significant investment” that SkyTeam has made into developing industry-leading technology.
She will continue to focus on maximising the tools to enhance seamlessness for all members and their customers.
SkyTeam chairman Michael Wisbrun said: “We’re very pleased to welcome Kristin onboard as SkyTeam’s new chief executive.
“She joins the alliance at an important transitional phase, and we are absolutely confident that Kristin’s extensive experience will help us to build the alliance of the future for all 20 of our member airlines and their customers.
“We thank Perry for all his hard work over the last three years. He brought many pivotal projects into fruition that will continue to expand under Kristin’s guidance.”