THE Solomon Airlines Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Gus Kraus, will end his one-year contract in two weeks.
Kraus’ term will come to an end on Friday 18 August.
Mr Kraus who has achieved a lot for the national flag carrier over the past months said, he will leave for Brisbane today and will return to Honiara next Wednesday to complete his final task and hand over the role to the board or whoever that is appointed to succeed him.
“I leave for BNE on Friday 4th and hope to return till end of contract from 9th return till 18th August.”
He could not confirm if he is returning to Papua New Guinea (PNG) to work with Air Nuigini for which he also previously served.
Mr Kraus told Solomon Star late last month that he is not extending his contract with Solomon Airlines.
As a result, the position of a new CEO was advertised over the past weeks. This means a new CEO is expected to be appointed soon to take on the role.
Mr Kraus was appointed after former CEO, Brett Gebers, concluded his term in the third quarter of last year.
Mr Kraus was re-engaged under an interim arrangement. He used to work with the national flag carrier as the Commercial Manager and Operations Manager before re-joining Air Niugini.
He has more than 54 years of airline industries experience.
Mr Kraus accepted the role of the CEO last year to oversee the Airline’s ongoing operations and lead the airlines in restarting operations following the reopening of the international borders after the COVID-19 lockdown.
Since his return, Mr Kraus ensured the airline’s Dash-8 aircraft, which reportedly up for sale, was repossessed and resume operation.
He also struck a number of deals, allowing Solomon Airlines to operate the Honiara, Vila and Auckland route and the leasing of one of its Twin Otter aircraft to Air Vanuatu to operate the domestic routes in Vanuatu.
A recent achievement under his leadership with the support of the airlines board was the acquisition of a new airbus which was recently unveiled.
The airbus is now serving the Honiara-Port Vila-Auckland route and Honiara-Brisbane route.
The purchase of the new aircraft is to prepare for the 17th Pacific Games in Honiara in November.
By MOFFAT MAMU
