Air Berlin Board accepts resignation from CEO

This morning, Joachim Hunold, Air Berlin’s CEO, offered the Board of Directors his resignation from the office as CEO of the company, effective September 1, 2011, and the board with great respect.

Joachim Hunold stated: “I have come to the conclusion that a change of leadership will accelerate our newly-launched ‘Shape & Size’ program.”

In a statement, the board explained: “With these measures, the prerequisites that Air Berlin needs for a swift and comprehensive adaptation to the changed market environment are present. The board would like to thank Joachim Hunold for his long-standing involvement at the helm of Air Berlin. Without Mr. Hunold’s consistent efforts directed to long-term results, airberlin would not have become Germany’s second-largest and Europe’s sixth-largest airline company. In this manner, the framework for a sustainable profitability of the company is provided.”

Mr. Joachim Hunold will remain bound to the company for the future as a Non-Executive Director and recommends that Mr. Hartmut Mehdorn, who is already a member of the Board of Directors of the company, becomes his interim successor as CEO.

Mr. Hunold has been with the aviation sector since 1978. Up until 1982, he worked for Braathens Air Transport in Düsseldorf, from 1982-1990, where he was the Sales and Marketing Director at the LTU Group. In 1991, Mr. Hunold took over Air Berlin Inc. With Mr. Hunold as the Managing Partner, the German Air Berlin was newly founded on April 16, 1991 as Air Berlin GmbH & Co. Luftverkehrs KG. Since the creation of the new holding structure, which took effect on January 1, 2006, Joachim Hunold has held the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Mr. Hartmut Mehdorn, who has been a member of the Board of Air Berlin PLC since 1uly 1, 2009, will assume the position as CEO for an interim period.