Eugen Davidoiu, the general manager of the state-owned Romanian airline Tarom, resigned this Monday, August 21, according to sources quoted by News.ro. He was appointed to this post in February this year.

His resignation comes as the Prime Minister’s Control Body is launching a series of controls at Tarom and at the National Investments Company starting this Monday, according to media sources.

Prime Minister Mihai Tudose had previously pointed to the company’s losses, which stood at RON 104 million (EUR 22.7 million) in the first six months of this year. He criticized transport minister Razvan Cuc during the Government’s August 18 meeting for the Tarom losses and for extending Davidoiu’s mandate as the airline’s director, despite his failure to cut back on the losses.

In his resignation, Davidoiu mentioned reasons that prevent him from exercising his duties and personal grounds, Hotnews.ro reported.

One day before, on August 20, Davidoiu said he would not resign. He argued his management had been efficient, as he brought two new aircraft to Tarom’s fleet. “The Prime Minister’s Control Body can’t point out shortcomings during his management period, Davidoiu said. “I’ve been very efficient,” he added.

Tarom’s losses for the first half of 2017 are almost four times higher compared to the losses recorded during the same period of 2016. The company had losses of RON 28.6 million (EUR 6.2 million) at the end of June 2016. However, Davidoiu said the results were due to management decisions taken last year, which prevented the company from reaching its revenue target.

editor@romania-insider.com