Shai Weiss has been with Virgin Atlantic since August 2012 as a board member and assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer in July 2014 later becoming CCO in January 2017.
Virgin Atlantic Limited (Virgin Atlantic) announced that Shai Weiss, currently EVP, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) and a member of its Board of Directors, has been appointed as CEO, effective January 1, 2019. Craig Kreeger will remain with the airline until his retirement on December 31, 2018 to assist with the transition.
Shai has been with Virgin Atlantic since August 2012 as a board member and assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer in July 2014 later becoming CCO in January 2017.
Virgin Atlantic will embark on Velocity – its next mid-range corporate plan – starting in 2019. The expanded four-way joint venture partnership between Virgin Atlantic, Delta Air Lines and Air France-KLM is at the heart of Velocity and will become the preferred choice for customers travelling across the Atlantic, offering the most comprehensive route network, convenient flight schedules, competitive fares and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, including the ability to earn and redeem miles across all carriers.
Comment from Craig Kreeger: "Ever since my appointment as CEO in February 2013, I set out to ensure Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Holidays realise their full potential by empowering our people to provide a uniquely Virgin Atlantic service which truly delights and excites our customers. All this, as we made our partnership with Delta the natural choice for passengers across the Atlantic and transformed the financial performance of the company.”
“Shai has supported me closely since joining us in July 2014, serving as a valuable partner, as we embarked on making our Plan to Win a reality. As we embark on Velocity, I consider this to be the ideal time to pass the leadership baton to Shai and for me to begin a new chapter.”
Comment from Sir Richard Branson, President, Virgin Atlantic: “On behalf of the whole Virgin family, I want to thank Craig for the fantastic job he has done in leading Virgin Atlantic these past five years.”
“He has focused our people on providing the best customer service by refreshing our onboard experience, bringing in new planes and bringing us closer to our partner Delta, opening more destinations and opportunities for our flyers.”
“I’ve worked closely with Shai for more than a decade and know his drive, commitment and passion mean the airline and our amazing people are in great hands. The next few years are exciting as we build on the opportunities created by our expanded partnership with Delta and Air France-KLM to bring in more new planes and access to more routes.”
Comment from Peter Norris, Chairman of Virgin Atlantic Limited and the Virgin Group: “On behalf of everyone at Virgin Atlantic I wanted to express our immense gratitude to Craig for all he has achieved on behalf of our people and customers. We wish him all the best in his next adventure.”
“I’m also delighted to announce Shai as Craig’s successor, and our new CEO from the start of 2019. Shai has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellence and a relentless ability to challenge the status quo. He has proved he is the right leader to take Virgin Atlantic to the next level. Together with the rest of the Virgin Atlantic leadership team, Shai is focused on our people and our customers to ensure the airline keeps flying higher.”
Comment from Ed Bastian, CEO, Delta Air Lines: “We’re grateful to Craig for his important contributions to Virgin Atlantic and the success of our Trans-Atlantic joint venture. Under Craig’s stewardship over the past five years, the entire Virgin Atlantic team has played their part in making our partnership the natural choice for customers flying across the Atlantic.”
“Now is a great time for Shai to succeed Craig and lead Virgin Atlantic as we enter a new and exciting chapter: combining the existing joint ventures between Air France-KLM, Alitalia and Delta with the joint venture between Virgin Atlantic and Delta, into a single expanded joint venture partnership clearly focused on providing customers simply the best and most seamless service.”
Comment from Shai Weiss: “I want to thank Craig for his leadership, and all he’s contributed to Virgin Atlantic in his time as CEO. I’m extremely proud of what we’ve achieved and am grateful for the opportunity to lead this amazing company. This is a hugely exciting time for all of us at Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Holidays. Together with our outstanding and dedicated people, and my colleagues in the leadership team, I’m confident we can go further and higher.”
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