Brussels Airlines Board adapts management structure

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During their last meeting and in view of the succession plan of Michel Meyfroidt, co-CEO of Brussels Airlines, the Brussels Airlines Board of Directors decided to adapt the airline’s management structure. Brussels Airlines moves away from the co-CEO structure to a single CEO, function that will be taken on by Bernard Gustin, the current co-CEO, as from 1 June.

A co-CEO who helped steer the company to the top
The Board of Directors wishes to thank Michel Meyfroidt for his loyal service, his unrivalled dedication and his professionalism. Thanks to his efforts and since the start of the company in 2002 Brussels Airlines has evolved to one of the top Belgian airlines. Furthermore, both co-CEOs together have realized the strategic partnership with the Lufthansa Group and the integration of the airline in Star Alliance, the world’s leading airline alliance.

Three new nominations
In order to adapt the company’s way of working to the market evolution and to the ever increasing competition on the level of costs, three new nominations have been done in line with the company’s three main axes of activity “operations” , “finance” and “commercial strategy”.

Operations
Everything related in any way to the airline’s operations (Maintenance & Engineering, Ground Operations, Flight Operations, Security, Safety, Quality Management and Training of flying staff) will be headed by Peter Kranich (55), COO (Chief Operation Officer) and new member in the management, reporting directly to Bernard Gustin.

Peter Kranich comes from Eurowings GmbH, 100% subsidiary of Lufthansa, where he was responsible for the operations as member of the top management. He has a vast know-how and experience in the area of operations based on more than 30 years experience in the airline sector. After the Air Force and his studies in aeronautical construction in Munich, he started his career in 1986 with German Cargo GmbH where very soon he became head of the maintenance department. In 1990 he joined Lufthansa CityLine GmbH as head of the maintenance department. From 1995 till 2002, Peter Kranich took on several key functions in Deutsche BA, a former subsidiary of British Airways, including the one of General Manager.

Finance
Brussels Airlines’ Vice President Controlling since 2008, Jan De Raeymaeker (34) will take on the function of CFO (Chief Finance Officer) for the departments Controlling, Corporate Finance, Accounting and Facilities and Purchasing. He will also be in charge of the company’s strategic plan “Beyond 2012/2013”. Jan De Raeymaeker will report directly to the CEO.

The commercial strategy
Erik Follet (52), currently Executive Vice President Strategy and Business Development, will become the airline’s CCO (Chief Commercial Officer) in charge of the commercial strategy of Brussels Airlines. He will also report to the CEO. In this function he will be heading the departments Sales Europe including Benelux, Sales Africa and Sales USA. The airline’s Cargo Sales activities, Customer Service, Pricing & Revenue Management, Marketing and Off-line Sales will also be part of his area of responsibility.

A new management structure that fosters continuity
As responsible employer and fully conscious of its important role for the Belgian economy, Brussels Airlines wants to lay down solid foundations for a sustainable future. “Thanks to this new structure, the company will increase its flexibility and its capability to swiftly react to the market, the future challenges, the many threats but also the opportunities”, says Viscount Etienne Davignon, Chairman of SN Airholding, the airline’s holding company. “I am convinced that the new team will steer the airline through the many challenges that the airline sector and Brussels Airlines in particular, will be confronted with”.

Brussels Airlines press release, Brussels, 29 February 2012