Alcatel's president and chief operating officer Philippe Germond has announced he will resign from the group at the next board meeting on 19 April. French newspapers have reported that Germond disagreed with chairman and chief executive Serge Tchuruk over a possible deal between Alcatel and Thales on satellite assets. Germond was said to be against such a deal. Alcatel declined to comment on the reasons for Germond's departure. "I regret Philippe Germond's decision," says Tchuruk, adding: "In the last two years, he has actively participated in the company's recovery."

Source: Flight International