airberlin streamlines management structure
19-Sep-2012 airberlin today unveiled several initiatives to strengthen its management structure and streamline the operation of its Board.
Wolfgang Prock-Schauer, an experienced airline industry executive, will join the management team as Chief Strategy and Network Planning Officer (CSPO). Formerly Chief Executive at bmi, Mr Prock-Schauer, also held the position of CEO at jet Airways in India and senior executive positions with Austrian Airlines. Mr Prock-Schauer, 55, will be responsible for network planning, alliances and revenue management when he joins airberlin on October 1.
Hartmut Mehdorn, airberlin's Chief Executive Officer, said: "In the increasingly challenging environment we face today, we will benefit from Wolfgang's experience and management expertise."
Dr Martina Niemann, the airline's Chief Human Resources Officer, will also join the Management Board.
airberlin also announced the restructuring of its Air Berlin PLC Board, streamlining its size from 15 to 10. Three executive directors, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Ulf Hüttmeyer, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), Paul Gregorowitsch, and Chief Operating Officer (COO), Helmut Himmelreich, will relinquish their positions, while retaining their roles as the airline's CFO, COO and CCO, respectively. As CEO, Hartmut Mehdorn retains his seat on the Air Berlin PLC Board.
Mr Peter Oberegger and Mr Saad Hammad, who hold non-executive roles, will also step down.
Dr. Hans-Joachim Körber, Chairman of the Board, said: "We have made positive progress but there is still a great deal more to be achieved to meet our strategic commercial objectives. The Board and management team are more committed than ever to maintaining the momentum of our "Shape and Size" Program, which is expected to deliver better results in the third quarter."