Camiel Eurlings has stepped down as president and chief executive of KLM after four years.
No explanation was given for Eurlings’ abrupt departure.
He is being replaced by deputy chief executive and chief operating officer Pieter Elbers (pictured), who started his career with the Dutch airline in 1992.
Elbers’ previous positions at KLM include senior vice-president network & alliances, general manager Japan and Korea and general manager Mediterranean.
A statement from the airline said: “In view of the expiry of his current term in April 2015, Camiel has decided in joint consultation with the KLM supervisory board to withdraw with immediate effect as president and CEO, in order to pave the way for his successor.”
KLM chairman, Hans Smits, said: “The KLM supervisory board would like to thank Camiel Eurlings for his contributions during the four years of his tenure at KLM. We wish Pieter Elbers much success with the new challenges involved in his new position.”
Eurlings said: “KLM is and always will remain a fantastic company, where I have had the pleasure of working with passion for the past four years.
“I would like to wish all 35,000 KLM employees worldwide all the best in the run-up to KLM’s centenary.”