Japan Airlines (JAL) announced that Mitsuko Tottori, who started as a flight attendant, would become the carrier’s first woman to lead the airline.
Tottori is currently JAL’s Senior Managing Executive Officer and will take over from the current President and CEO, Yuji Akasaka, in April.
Following the accidents between a JAL and coastguard aircraft and a JAL and Korean Air aircraft in the last two weeks, Tottori has vowed that safety will be a greater priority under her leadership.
“The shock at that time is still deeply carved in my heart. And I have maintained a strong sense of responsibility to hand down the importance of aviation safety to younger generations,” Tottori said. “Safety is the foundation of an airline company and I will work on safe operations with even stronger conviction.”
