Roy Kinnear, currently chief executive of Air Seychelles, will join in January. He will have overall responsibility for the airline’s revenue management, network, scheduling, and other commercial aspects.

The reshuffle at the airline will also see Flybe’s chief revenue officer, Vincent Hodder become chief strategy officer. Prior to Kinnear’s arrival at Flybe, Ronnie Matheson, Flybe’s director of revenue management and distribution, will take up the role of interim CCO.

Flybe CEO, Christine Ourmières-Widener said: “Roy will bring some exceptional talent to Flybe and we are thrilled to have recruited him to join us. He has a wealth of experience and I know that, with his very real passion for the industry, he will add an exciting new dimension in leading the commercial area and help continue the implementation of our plan to position Flybe as Europe’s best regional airline.”

Kinnear added: “I’m delighted to be joining Flybe in this new role. It’s an exciting time for the airline as it consolidates and continues to build on its position as the leading regional airline in Europe. I’m very much looking forward to working with the commercial team to drive up the airline’s profitability.”

Flybe issue its second profits warning this year last week, saying that pre-tax earnings for the half year 2017/18 would be £5-£10 million, compared with £15.9 million last year. Flybe lost £19.9 million in the full year 2016/17.