The Board of Directors of SA Express has announced Inati Ntshanga as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of growing regional airline SA Express effective 1 September 2010.
As the chief executive officer of the airline, Ntshanga will also serve as Executive Director on the SA Express Board of Directors.
Ntshanga is a Harvard Economics graduate, whose current portfolio includes the development of SA Express' strategy and business development, including the airline’s route expansion and forays into the rest of the African continent.
Lilian Boyle, Chairperson of SA Express' Board of Directors says: "The board is delighted to conclude this process and make the announcement after eleven weeks of deliberation.
"We are confident that Ntshanga's blend of skills, coupled with his leadership style, will ensure that the airline rises to the occasion, even within a volatile economic and operational environment. We have no doubt that Ntshanga will take SA Express to even greater heights, further aligning the airline to its vision to be the regional carrier of choice".
Ntshanga says: "SA Express is one of Africa's leading regional airlines and I am honoured to be at its helm. My goal is to ensure that the airline continues to build on the solid foundation that has been laid and to balance stakeholder requirements with the myriad of growth opportunities in the industry, making certain that SA Express' strategy remains innovative, visionary and competitive for years to come".
Ntshanga succeeds Siza Mzimela, who moved on from SA Express to begin her tenure as Chief Executive Officer of national carrier, South African Airways (SAA) in May 2010.
Ntshanga joined SA Express in January 2005 as Executive Manager, Commercial and Strategy before becoming General Manager Strategy and Business Development.
Over the last 10 years, Ntshanga has held various roles in the airline industry, particularly at SAA where he worked in various departments, including voyager, sales, airport operations and technical.
Ntshanga was also Executive Manager of Strategy and Planning as well as Regional General Manager/ EVP for the Americas at SAA. Prior to joining SAA, Ntshanga worked as a consultant in various areas in aviation including cargo, technical and customer service.
Ntshanga also holds a GIBS Global Executive Development Programme qualification, serves on the Board of the Hoedspruit Airport and is intensely involved in the development of the aviation industry in the region. Ntshanga is married and has two daughters, Fikile and Namhla.
SA Express
SA Express is a domestic and regional airline whose corporate offices are based at OR Tambo International Airport. The airline's focus is to connect secondary business and leisure hubs to the main hubs within the region.
SA Express' unique service offering is reflected in its brand proposition "We Fly for You" as the airline constantly strives to offer all customers a seamless, bespoke travel experience.
Media enquiries
Dileseng Koetle
Tel: +27 11 978 2540
Cell: +27 83 400 0041
E-mail: dkoetle@flyexpress.aero
Source: Department of Public Enterprises
