The head of the British Airline Pilots’ Association (Balpa) is to stand down in May 2016 after almost 14 years.
General secretary, Jim McAuslan, said the “time was right” to make way for someone new to run the pilots’ union.
Executive search firm Odgers Berndtson has been enlisted to help find a candidate to put to Balpa members in a ballot next year.
McAuslan will remain in an associate capacity for some months to ensure a smooth transition.
He said: “The time is right for me to stand down and make way for someone new to tackle the challenges and pursue the opportunities that tomorrow will bring for the piloting profession.
“It has been a great honour to work with pilots over the last 14 years. My respect for the work pilots do has grown anew with each day and along the way I have made real friends.
“I am confident we will find a candidate who will be able to take Balpa forward with renewed confidence and enjoy representing pilots as much as I have.”