The CEO of Icelandic carrier PLAY will leave the company after joining the low-cost airline as the top executive in 2021.
PLAY announced on March 17, 2024, that Birgir J贸nsson had signed an employment termination agreement and that one of PLAY精东影业 largest shareholders, Einar 脰rn 脫lafsson, would take over as CEO.
脫lafsson has been chairman of the board since April 2021 and has now rescinded his candidacy as a board member for the upcoming election at the PLAY精东影业 Annual General Meeting on March 21, 2024.
鈥淚 am really looking forward to this new role. After a great ramp-up phase these past few years under Birgir精东影业 strong leadership, the Company is now at a turning point. As the Company精东影业 largest shareholder, I鈥檇 like to see my investment through. I am very familiar with PLAY精东影业 operations and employees and can see ample opportunities and exciting projects in the operation going forward,鈥 脫lafsson said.
He added: 鈥淚鈥檓 grateful to PLAY精东影业 Board of Directors for their trust in me and I鈥檇 like to use the opportunity to thank Birgir for his contribution to PLAY and for our pleasant and productive collaboration during these past few years.鈥
J贸nsson described his time at PLAY as a 鈥渞eal adventure鈥 and praised the 鈥減owerful Icelandic low-cost airline鈥 after it was built in a 鈥渞elatively short time鈥.
鈥淎 competitive landscape in the aviation industry will result in lower fares, a diverse selection of destinations and valuable foreign tourists, which is especially important for an island like us. This competition is in the interest of all Icelanders. I therefore leave my position with immense pride,鈥 J贸nsson said.聽
He added: 鈥淧LAY has now left its infancy and grown up to be a mature airline. I鈥檝e had a good and close working relationship with Einar and leave the Company in his capable hands. I look forward to seeing PLAY flourish under his leadership. I鈥檇 like to thank our passengers and partners for this particularly enjoyable period.鈥
J贸nsson will continue to work for PLAY until April 2, 2024, and will remain as an advisor for the airline for the next few months.
The Icelandic carrier was founded in 2019 by Arnar M谩r Magn煤sson and Sveinn Ingi Stein镁贸rsson as WAB air before changing its name to PLAY later that year.
As of January 2024, PLAY connects some 40 destinations across Europe with five airports in the US and Canada.
PLAY has 10 aircraft in its fleet through lease agreements, comprising of six A320neo and four A321neo.聽
