New Saltchuk Aviation president and CEO

Saltchuk Aviation president and chief executive Betsy Seaton will retire at the end of the year and former chief operating officer Mike Thompson has now taken on the top role. 

Thompson, who joined the Seattle-based family of air cargo and aviation services companies as chief operating officer in 2023, took up his new position as Saltchuk Aviation president and chief executive on November 1.

He previously spent nearly 20 years working for regional Utah carrier, SkyWest Airlines. Thompson held a variety of leadership roles at SkyWest, most recently as chief operating officer, overseeing a fleet of over 500 aircraft and over 2,500 daily flights.

Seaton has successfully guided US-based Saltchuk Aviation through numerous milestones during her six-year tenure, including achieving top-tier safety performance, obtaining ETOPS certification and expanding partnerships with key customers.

Her leadership has also driven significant operational growth, including the successful integration of a new company, Ryan Air, into Saltchuk’s portfolio.

Seaton will support Thompson between now and her retirement at year end. This will include facilitating introductions to key stakeholders and visiting operational sites with Thompson, with the goal of ensuring a successful leadership transition.

“As we look to the future, I am excited to tackle the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for Saltchuk Aviation,” said Thompson. “We have a talented team across our family of companies that will lead us in establishing sustained growth in our core markets.”

Saltchuk Aviation said it “is proud to celebrate Betsy’s legacy and looks forward to the continued growth and shared purpose under Mike’s leadership”.

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