The Board of Directors of Singapore Airlines (SIA) has announced that Goh Choon Phong will succeed Chew Choon Seng as CEO when Seng retires this year-end. Phong will formally take up the CEO position on January 1, 2011. He will join the airline’s board on October 1, 2010. The Board paid special tribute to Seng, who became CEO in June 2003 and who upon his retirement will have recorded 39 years of service with the SIA Group.

Phong joined SIA in 1990, after graduation from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, as well as three Bachelor degrees, in Computer Science and Engineering, Management Science and Cognitive Science. He has served in senior management positions in Singapore, as well as overseas, and is currently Executive Vice President for Marketing and the Regions, having been appointed to the post earlier this year after four years as President of Singapore Airlines Cargo. He is also presently Chairman of SilkAir.

“The time is appropriate for renewal of the leadership in SIA. The business has regained ground which was lost during the recession of 2008-09, the company is profitable and on an even keel, and I have had the privilege of leading this organisation for over seven years. It is timely for me to hand over to the next generation and move on,” said Seng.

Stephen Lee, Chairman, Singapore Airlines noted that during his tenure as CEO, Seng successfully steered the SIA Group through some of its most challenging times, including the SARS outbreak of 2003 and more recently the global economic downturn.