Chris Smyth, GM of operations at South African Airways (SAA), is leaving the airline to take up a position in the information technology sector, CEO Siza Mzimela told staff yesterday.
Mr Smyth, who has been with SAA since 2006, will take up his new job as chief financial officer of a JSE-listed company from April 1. He is the last remaining member of former CEO Khaya Ngqula’s executive. He took over as acting CEO after Mr Ngqula was axed from SAA in 2009, and oversaw the final implementation of the restructuring begun by Mr Ngqula, which resulted in the airline returning to profit. He stepped aside when Ms Mzimela was appointed CEO in May last year. SAA spokesman Fani Zulu last night confirmed that Mr Smyth would leave the airline next month. It was not clear who would replace him.