Thomsonfly creator to head GB
Former Britannia boss appointed GB Airways MD
GB Airways has appointed former Thomson executive Kevin Hatton as its new managing director.
He will replace John Patterson who will retire on July 1.
Hatton had stints at BA charter subsidiary British Airtours before taking over at Britannia Airways as MD in 2000.
He was then appointed chairman and chief executive of TUI airline management during which he led the team that set up Thomsonfly. He also sat on the board of TUI UK.
Patterson joined GB Airways in 2000 after 29 years at BA. He helped maintain and negotiate the franchise agreement with BA, launched a new base at Manchester and moved the airline into new headquarters at Gatwick.
GB Airways chairman James Gaggero described Patterson as a "great character" whose contribution to the airline's expansion has been "invaluable."