Jeong Hong-geun (67), the longest-serving chief executive officer (CEO) of a domestic low-cost carrier (LCC), T’way Air, will step down on the 31st, completing his term. He has held the position since December 2015, marking nine years in office.
Jeong has built a 40-year career in the aviation industry. He joined Korean Air in 1986, serving as the domestic sales team leader and branch manager in Nagoya, Japan, before moving to JIN AIR, a new airline, in 2009. After about four years as the head of the management support division at Jin Air (executive vice president), he joined T’way Air in 2013, taking on roles such as head of sales and service and head of the Japan regional headquarters before being appointed CEO in 2015.
In an email sent to T’way Air employees on the 14th, Jeong said, "I am truly grateful and relieved to step down without major issues as the longest-serving CEO of an LCC," and expressed hope that, with the arrival of a young and dynamic new management team, the company could further solidify its position as a successful long-haul LCC.
The new CEO, who will succeed Jeong, is expected to be appointed from individuals recommended by Daemyung Sonogroup, which is acquiring T’way Air, during a regular shareholders meeting on the 31st.