Ex-Nordica exec becomes Adria CEO
Estonian aviation expert and former Nordica Business Development Manager Sven Kukemelk has become the new CEO of Adria Airways and Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr Kukemelk served as the Executive Director for Business Development at the Estonian carrier, later becoming CEO of its affiliate Regional Jet. During his tenure, the company received an IOSA certificate, grew its fleet from six to twelve units and established new ACMI contracts with LOT and SAS Scandinavian Airlines. After leaving the Nordica Group, Mr Kukemelk co-founded the aviation consultancy NA Advisory. The Estonian businessman joined Adria six month ago, serving as the airline's Deputy Chief Commercial Officer and was named as CEO of the Adria Airways Flight School just last month. He has also worked at the Estonian Aviation Academy, airBaltic, Estonian Air, Tallinn Airport and Lufthansa Consulting in the past.
Mr Kukemelk's latest post has been announced by Estonian media, although the company itself is yet to issue an official statement. He replaces Holger Kowarch who has served as the airline's CEO since February last year. Mr Kowarch led the company through a difficult period during which it grew its fleet with the additional Bombardier and Saab aircraft but also faced numerous operational issues. During his tenure, the Slovenian airline also launched a number of new routes, as well as a new base in Paderborn, however, both were short-lived. Mr Kowarch signed a Letter of Intent for the acquisition of fifteen Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft and a Maintenance Repair and Overhaul joint venture with the Sukhoi Civil Aviation Company last November, however, the deal never materialised, ending in a much publicised spat between the two companies.
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| Sven Kukemelk |
Adria Airways assisted in the creation of Nordica following the collapse of Estonian Air. It provided the airline with an Air Operator's Certificate, commercial platform, ticketing system, staff and flight codes. In late 2016, Nordica abruptly ended its cooperation with Adria and forged a new agreement with LOT Polish Airlines. It has never been disclosed how much of a financial incentive Adria received for its partnership with Nordica, which was negotiated by the carrier while it was still in state hands. In its 2015 financial report, the airline's new owners at the time, 4K Invest, hailed the tie-up. Adria is currently wet-leasing a Nordica Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft in order to maintain its schedule without disruption as several of its own jets are undergoing maintenance.
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