The board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG has appointed Carsten Spohr as the next chairman and CEO. The 47-year-old, who currently oversees the Lufthansa Passenger Airlines operations in his capacity as board member, will assume his new role effective 1 May 2014.
Spohr stated, “As a Lufthansa man ‘born and bred’, I view the appointment as the new CEO as both an honour and an obligation. I look very much forward to this important task and I am convinced that the company is on the right track. The cornerstones for the future success are in place. Together, we will meet the challenges confidently, willing to embrace change and prepared to deliver on our strategy in order to make our company resilient and ready for the future also beyond 2015.”
Wolfgang Mayrhuber, chairman of the supervisory board has faith in Spohr, stating that, “We know that the future of Lufthansa will be in good hands with Carsten Spohr.”
The position of CEO of Lufthansa Passenger Airlines will be refilled when Spohr assumes responsibility as CEO of the Group. This decision will be taken by the supervisory board by the end of April 2014.
Background
After graduating with a degree in industrial engineering, Spohr qualified for a commercial airline pilot’s licence from the Lufthansa Flight Training School. He also holds the Lufthansa captains licence. He then spent a short time at Deutsche Aerospace AG in Munich before returning to Lufthansa in October 1994 to head central personnel marketing. Between 1995 and 1998, he worked as a personal assistant to the CEO. In August 1998 he assumed responsibility for regional and later for the company’s global partnerships including the Star Alliance. In October 2004, Spohr was appointed to the management board of Lufthansa Passenger Airlines where he was responsible for service and staff. Effective 15 January 2007, he was appointed chairman of the executive board of Lufthansa Cargo AG. Spohr has been a member of the executive board of Lufthansa AG and CEO of the Lufthansa Passenger business since 1 January 2011.
