Guardian Media Group chief executive Carolyn McCall has been confirmed as the new boss at no-frills airline easyJet.

Ms McCall will replace the outgoing chief Andy Harrison, who is set to join hotel and restaurant group Whitbread later this year.

According to a statement to markets, Ms McCall was selected due to her “proven track record of successful operational delivery in a fast changing on-line consumer facing business”.

Here extensive public limited company boardroom, government and lobbying experience were also cited as a major factor in her appointment.

Sir Michael Rake, chairman of easyJet plc, commented: “On behalf of the board, I am delighted to welcome Carolyn to easyJet.

“Following a thorough process involving a number of high calibre candidates we have unanimously chosen a strong chief executive with the strategic ability, operational capability and passion to drive easyJet through the next stage of its development and we look forward to working with Carolyn.”

The budget airline last week staked its claim as the UK’s new flag carrier.

Following her appointment Carolyn McCall commented: “I am proud to become the chief executive of a company that has achieved so much in the past 15 years; including its leading presence on Europe’s most popular air transport routes.

“I am committed to building on easyJet’s strengths; a strong consumer proposition predicated on offering the lowest fares to the most convenient airports, leadership positions in many of Europe’s most popular airports and an operating model that is built around simplicity and low cost.”

Ms McCall is expected to take up the role in the summer.

Delta Airlines

On the other side of the Atlantic, Delta Airlines has promoted Perry Cantarutti to the newly created position of senior vice president for Europe, Middle East and Africa. 

Based in Paris, Mr Cantarutti will have accountability for all of Delta’s Europe, Middle East and Africa commercial activities; including maximising the long-term growth opportunities for Delta’s joint venture agreement with Air France KLM.

The partnership with the French flag-carrier represents the industry’s largest trans-Atlantic alliance.

An airline professional with 18-years’ industry experience, Mr Cantarutti joined Northwest Airlines in 1992.

Following the airline’s merger with Delta, he was named vice president reservation sales and customer care in July 2008. In this role he was responsible for the management of Delta’s eleven North America offices and nine overseas offices as well as customer care. 

Prior to this appointment, Mr Cantarutti was vice president of reservations sales and services, for Northwest from May 2006. 

Mr Cantarutti will report to Delta’s president, Ed Bastian.