Andreas Otto Named New CCO of Austrian Airlines

11-Sep-2014 Andreas Otto (51), currently Executive Board Member for Product and Sales at Lufthansa Cargo in Frankfurt, was named to serve as the new Chief Commercial Officer of Austrian Airlines AG effective October 1, 2014. The appointment of Andreas Otto was resolved upon by the Supervisory Board at its meeting today. Thus he replaces Karsten Benz (50), who will return to the Lufthansa Group in Frankfurt as of October 1, 2014. "I am pleased that we have been able to attract Andreas Otto, an experienced and successful airline manager from our own ranks. For fourteen years he influenced the path taken by Lufthansa Cargo AG as it grew to become one of the world's most profitable air cargo carriers", said Harry Hohmeister, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of both Austrian Airlines and Lufthansa Cargo. The appointment comprises a "clear commitment of the Lufthansa Group to the further development of Austrian Airlines as a quality airline at the Vienna hub", Hohmeister added. Andreas Otto was born in Mettmann near Düsseldorf on October 9, 1962. After concluding his training as a bank clerk, he began studying business administration at the University of Cologne. During his studies he was granted a scholarship within the context of the International Management program in Stockholm. After completing various internships in London, Paris and New York, Otto graduated with a Masters Degree in Business Administration in 1991 and his PhD in 1994. In 1994 Otto also began working as Project Manager Logistics at Rhenus AG & Co. KG in Dortmund. After being named Managing Director of Rhenus Office Systems GmbH in the year 1996, he became Sales Manager of Rhenus AG & Co. KG two years later. In 1999 he assumed the position of Deputy Member of the Management Board of the logistics service provider with responsibility for marketing and sales. On March 13, 2000, he moved to Lufthansa Cargo AG, serving on its Executive Board. In addition to coordinating global sales and handling, Otto was also in charge of margin management, product management, the future project eCargo as well as Global Network and Sales Steering. Andreas Otto is married and has one son. The Supervisory Board intends to make a timely decision on a successor to the vacant Executive Board position at Lufthansa Cargo. Until that time Executive Board Chairman and CEO Peter Gerber will assume the Executive Board responsibilities for Product and Sales on an interim basis.