British Airways’ corporate sales chief Luke Goggin has been appointed as the airline’s new area general manager for Europe and North Africa.

Luke, who is currently head of corporate sales for the airline, will take up his new role in February following Gavin Halliday’s move to become managing director of flying reward scheme, Avios.

Drew Crawley, British Airways’ chief commercial officer, said: “Luke’s commercial experience outside of the airline, as well as the last two years he has been working in our UK&I sales and marketing team, gives me great confidence that the momentum and strong results delivered by the team in Europe under Gavin Halliday, will continue.”

Following his appointment, Luke Goggin, said: “The last two years leading British Airways’ corporate sales function have been fantastic.

“As a team we have been able to significantly improve all of our corporate customer satisfaction measures as well as building a more sustainable commercial base for the airline. I am now really looking forward to working with my colleagues across Europe and Africa.”

“I’m delighted to be taking on the Europe and North Africa role, especially when we’re expanding the network across the region, launching some great new services from Heathrow to popular Mediterranean destinations such as Mykonos, Santorini, Oporto, Malaga and Faro.”

Luke joined British Airways in November 2011, but started his sales career in 2000 after a stint playing rugby for premiership side Exeter Chiefs. Prior to joining the airline he worked for nine years at Whitbread where he started as a national account manager before rising to become head of sales for over 600 Premier Inn hotels.

The head of corporate sales role will be advertised britishairways.com/careers in due course.