A new head of the British Airways-led Oneworld alliance has been confirmed as the organisation switches headquarters from Vancouver to New York.
Former US Airways marketing chief Bruce Ashby is to succeed John McCulloch as chief executive of the global airline grouping.
McCulloch, who has been in charge for ten years, has said he is not in a position to re-locate for family reasons.
Premises for the new headquarters in New York have been secured at 2 Park Avenue in Manhattan.
Besides the 25-strong central Oneworld team, up to 210 employees from across the alliance’s member airlines will be based there. The first are due to move in mid-summer 2011.
It will house the team managing the new transatlantic joint business launched in October by American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia.
The 46,200 sq ft office will also accommodate the New York offices of American, BA and a number of other alliance member carriers.
“Bringing these various functions together will maximize synergies between these key elements of the alliance, particularly in developing more new services and benefits for customers,” Oneworld said.
Oneworld governing board chairman Gerard Arpey 9American Airlines) said: “Our decision to relocate and consolidate offices in New York is another important accomplishment during a milestone year for Oneworld.
“New York is a critical global hub for Oneworld and a key focus of our transatlantic joint business.”