Japan Airlines System Corp. said Wednesday it will promote its executive vice president, Toshiyuki Shinmachi, to president.
Shinmachi, 61, will replace Isao Kaneko, who will become chairman and retain the post of CEO.
Kaneko, 65, will continue overseeing group operations of Japan Airlines System, the holding company created in October 2002 through the management integration of Japan Airlines Co. and Japan Air System Co. It is the nation's largest carrier group.
The carriers will fully merge their operations in April.
"The new JAL group is set to take off in April, and I feel humble to take on such an important task," Shinmachi told a news conference. "I will work hard for the JAL group to achieve our goal to become the world's top airline as soon as possible."
The personnel change is subject to approval at a regular shareholders' meeting in June.
Shinmachi joined Japan Airlines Co. in 1965 and has been vice president of both the holding company and JAL since June.
Kaneko said he will retain his representative position to "accomplish the responsibility to unite the two companies."