Singapore Airlines names SilkAir Chairman Goh new CEO

Singapore Airlines named SilkAir Chairman Goh Choon Phong its new CEO, effective Jan. 1 following the year-end retirement of CEO Chew Choon Seng, who has held the post since June 2003.

In addition to being chairman of subsidiary SilkAir, Goh also holds the position of SIA executive VP-marketing and the regions. He ascended to that post following four years as president of SIA Cargo.

"The time is appropriate for renewal of the leadership in SIA," Chew, who has been with the airline for 39 yr., said in a statement. "The business has regained ground lost during the recession of 2008-9, the company is profitable and on an even keel."

Chew, 64, is credited with doubling the value of the airline's shares since taking the helm (ATW Daily News, July 28). Goh, 47, has been with SIA since 1990.

Separately, SIA announced that Marvin Tan has been appointed chief executive of SilkAir effective Oct. 11. He succeeds Chin Yau Seng, who will return to SIA as divisional VP Cabin Crew Operations. Tan, 39, has spent 14 years with SIA and is currently divisional VP Customer Services.

Photo: Singapore Airlines new CEO Goh Choon Phong. Courtesy, Singapore Airlines.