Caribbean Airlines fires CEO Ian Brunton

Caribbean Airlines (CAL) has fired its Chief Executive Officer Ian Brunton and appointed vice-president, commercial and customer experience, Robert Corbie, as interim CEO.

Brunton, 64, had been head of the national airline since October 15 2009.

A statement from CAL’s corporate communications department confirmed the changes. “Caribbean Airlines has today (Friday) announced that its chief executive officer, Captain Ian Brunton, has demitted office,” the statement said, adding that “Mr Corbie will be overseeing a newly merged workforce of 1,866 employees.”

CAL said Corbie has been mandated to have the airline function as one company responsible for two brands—Caribbean Airlines and Air Jamaica—in keeping with statements made by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar in July.

Brunton served in senior positions in both BWIA and CAL and replaced Phillip Saunders as CEO when Saunders resigned from to return to the United Kingdom. He was a captain at BWIA from 1976 to 2005 and served as fleet manager of the now defunct airline between 1980 and 1987.

He also served as chairman of the T&T Airline Pilots’ Association from 1993 to 1995 and was a member of the Standing Air Advisory Board. Brunton was also the first local chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority.