Tunisia's government has named Hamadi Thamri as president and chief executive of national carrier Tunisair, replacing Nabil Chettaoui.
It also named Cheikhrouhou Ridha as the carrier's director general.
Thamri has held several internal positions at the airline, including that of chief executive of subsidiary Tunisair Technics.
According to press reports in Tunisia, it is the first time that the airline has had an internal candidate in the top role. Traditionally, Thamri's role has gone to an external appointee.
Nobody at Tunisair was available for further comment.
Tunisair is feeling the effects of ongoing political unrest in North Africa. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, international tourist arrivals in Tunisia - a major driver of the country's economy - slumped 44% in the first three months of 2011 following the country's change of regime.
The continuing strife in neighbouring Libya is also dampening demand.