Gidon Novick, joint CEO of Comair has resigned from the company with immediate effect, to pursue other entrepreneurial business ventures.

Novick and Erik Venter have been serving as joint CEOs at the group for the past five and a half years.

Novick said on Thursday that Comair, which operates the British Airways franchise in South Africa and low-cost carrier Kulula, has decided that it is necessary to have one CEO from now on.

“Whilst the past few years have been excellent  for the group it has been rather unusual to have two CEOs. It was thought necessary to continue forward with one vision and one strategy and for me it was time to move on,” Novick said.

Novick said there was “absolutely no bad blood between himself and Venter”.

“We had lots of fights over the years but I am not leaving because of any fight. It’s simply time to move on. Erik is a great guy and he is surrounded by a great team.”

Venter said the group has become a lot more “operationally integrated” making it increasingly more difficult to delegate responsibilities.

“We’ve gotten to the point where its more logical to have one decision maker.”

Venter said he remains committed to the group.

Novick has also resigned from the board of Comair and said whilst he will still consult and assist in the industry, he is looking at areas outside the industry to focus on.

“This decision didn’t come overnight. I have been considering it for a few months,” Novick told fin24.