Philip Saunders has been appointed chief commercial officer at Air Malta with immediate effect, the company has announced.

Saunders previously held the role of chief executive officer with Caribbean Airlines, which was recently recognised as the Caribbean’s Leading Airline by the prestigious World Travel Awards.

In his new role with Air Malta, Saunders has been tasked with leading commercial activity on a day-to-day basis, as well as with spearheading the airline’s restructuring.

The cabin service and ground handling departments will be under his direct control, as they will now form part of the commercial department along with sales and marketing, distribution and e-business, revenue management, network planning and commercial agreements.

Saunders has worked in the airline industry for over 20 years.

As chief of Caribbean Airlines, his most recent post, he turned the airline’s fortunes around and achieved profitability a year ahead of plan.

He left the company in 2009.

He had worked closely with Air Malta chief executive Peter Davies at SN Brussels Airlines.

Davies was himself appointed in March this year.