Nigel Harwood quits as Kingfisher COO

BY A CORRESPONDENT
May 27, 2006

Kingfisher Airlines' senior officials are considering other options, according to an Economic Times report. Most notably, COO Nigel Harwood (formerly the Airbus representative in India), has already sent in his resignation, and will be quitting by July-end. While Chairman Mallya confirmed that Harwood's contract would expire on July 31, he also
said that the airline was negotiating the possibility of an extension with him. Mr.Harwood, however, has not been available for comments on this.

Meanwhile, the departure will leave another question on the not so happy relationship between the owners and the chief executives at the UB Group. Specifically, experts with airline experience, who run the Indian airline industry and have gained experience in various parts of the world.

Earlier, the Damania brothers Vispi Damania and Pervez Damania had quit the group, with the rift between the management and the two brothers blamed on the "cultural gulf". The two had incidentally been involved with Kingfisher from its initial days.

In addition, when CEO and prior President Alex Wilcox had quit Kingfisher last year, it had caused much speculation. Mr Harwood had subsequently joined the group as COO on August 1, 2005. Mr Harwood, who was Head of Sales for India & Asia with Airbus, is an engineer with extensive aircraft and engine knowledge.