Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Sarah Jane Lebrasse
Published on 2024-03-10 15:45:42
The board of Air Mauritius officially announced this week the appointment of Charles Cartier as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), marking the beginning of a new era for the national airline. This decision follows the negotiated departure of former CEO Kresimir Kucko, after an investigation whose findings were not made public. In a brief meeting with the press, Charles Cartier emphasized the crucial importance of placing the customer experience at the heart of Air Mauritius’ priorities, aspiring to turn every passenger into a fervent supporter of the destination. The new CEO also highlighted the strategic positioning of Air Mauritius, aiming to address past issues such as poor experiences, delays, and breakdowns to enhance customer satisfaction.
In an inclusive approach, Charles Cartier announced forums with employees and departmental meetings to define a clear strategy for Air Mauritius Ltd’s priority areas. Prior to his appointment, the board of Airport Holdings Ltd (AHL) took note of Ken Arian’s resignation as Board Director of MK. This decision was followed by the appointment of Kantabye Babajee as AHL’s representative on the Air Mauritius board. In the late afternoon on Friday, in response to Week-End’s request, Charles Cartier engaged in his first interview three days after assuming his duties.
In the interview, Charles Cartier expressed his initial feelings about accepting the CEO position at Air Mauritius, stating that he immediately accepted the offer and did not see it as a “hot seat.” He emphasized the national impact of the challenge and the opportunity to make a positive difference. Regarding the resignation of Ken Arian from the Air Mauritius board while retaining his position as CEO of Airports Holdings Ltd, Cartier clarified that Arian is not his superior and that there is no hierarchy between Air Mauritius employees and the holding company.
Cartier discussed his intention to prioritize employee morale and customer experience in his strategic vision for Air Mauritius. He drew on his experience as a director at Accenture Mauritius and as the first president of the Economic Development Board to inform his approach as CEO. He highlighted the importance of team cohesion and engagement in achieving long-term growth, drawing on past successes in transforming businesses and driving significant growth.
The three key pillars of Cartier’s strategic vision for Air Mauritius under his leadership as CEO include fostering a harmonious work environment, enhancing the customer experience, and optimizing the airline’s strategic positioning. He stressed the need to address past issues such as delays and technical problems through data-driven decision-making and clear strategic direction. Cartier also mentioned his commitment to meeting with employees and unions to address concerns and build a cohesive and supportive work culture.
In conclusion, Charles Cartier emphasized his readiness to face challenges and his focus on achieving tangible results for Air Mauritius. He rejected the notion of the CEO position as a “hot seat” and expressed his dedication to implementing a plan, delivering results, and embracing challenges with confidence and determination.
Read the original article(French) on Le Mauricien
