Lufthansa could refocus Austria operations around Tyrolean Airways, Austrian Airlines to get new COO

Lufthansa could reportedly restructure its Austrian network around Austrian Airlines regional subsidiary Tyrolean Airways as part of efforts to reduce costs and improve the efficiency at Austrian Airlines, according to Sueddeutsche Zeitung reports. This would result in lower labour costs and a more efficient operating structure. A decision could be made in coming weeks, with an EGM to be held on 13-Mar-2012. Austrian Airlines, meanwhile, will reportedly appoint Karsten Benz, Lufthansa Passage VP-European sales and services as Chief Commercial Officer, replacing Andreas Bierwirth, as per a aero.at report. The change will reportedly be approved at the AGM this month and will become effective from 01-Apr-2012. As previously reported, Mr Bierwirth resigned last week, reportedly due to a lack of support from the Lufthansa management and a difference of opinion on the airline's restructure.