In an unexpected move, Jet Airways on Thursday announced the resignation of its Chief Executive Officer, Gary Toomey.A former Chief Executive Officer of Air New Zealand and Chief Financial Officer of Qantas, Toomey took the helm of Jet Airways on 25th September, 2013.
“Gary Kenneth Toomey, chief executive of the company has resigned with immediate effect,” Jet Airways said in a BSE filing on Thursday.
Post reginatation, Jet Airways has appointed Chief Financial Officer, Ravishankar Gopalakrishnan as the Acting Chief Executive Officer.
“The Chief Financial Officer, Ravishankar Gopalakrishnan, will serve as the Acting Chief Executive Officer until the board of Jet Airways identifies and appoints a new Chief Executive Officer,” said a release from Jet Airways in the evening.
It is not known as to what led to the sudden exit of Toomey.“I have enjoyed my time at Jet Airways working with the Chairman, the management team and the wonderful staff. I am confident that the Company will be successful in the future,” said Toomey while reacting on his resignation through the Jet release.
Naresh Goyal, Chairman of Jet Airways, said: “I would like to thank Gary Toomey for his invaluable contribution over the last six months, during a period of great change for Jet Airways. The minority equity investment by Etihad Airways is a springboard for the growth of this airline, domestically and internationally.”
Toomey was made the chief executive 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.
Kardassis’ resignation was announced immediately after Jet agreed to sell 24 per cent stake for Rs 2,058 crore to Etihad last April. The deal was finally concluded last November, though it has been challenged in the apex court.