Hungarian flag carrier Malev is beginning the search for a new chief executive after the departure of Martin Gauss in a row over pay.
Gauss has resigned but will play an "active part in the management" of the re-nationalised carrier until the end of May, said a company spokeswoman.
Failure to agree Gauss' remuneration level has been cited as the reason for his departure. Hungary's state holding company MNV, which has a 95% stake in Malev, "is following monthly wage limit requirements regarding the compensation of the state-owned company employees," the airline said in a statement.
The Hungarian government has not yet decided on Gauss' successor or when a new appointment will be made, the spokeswoman adds.
Gauss took over the helm of Malev in May 2009. He was previously chairman of Germany-based Cirrus Airlines and Augsburg Airways as well as managing director of low-cost carrier DBA, which has since been taken over by Air Berlin.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
