Lufthansa Group has named Heiko Reitz as the new chief commercial officer of Lufthansa Airlines, while former CCO Stefan Kreuzpaintner will now be responsible for network, alliance and partner management of Lufthansa Group.
Reitz, who was previously Lufthansa’s senior vice president of network and mobility management and has worked for the group across multiple roles since 2008, will now focus on daily airline operations while ‘expanding and realigning’ the carrier’s premium offers.
Kreuzpaintner, meanwhile, is now tasked with expanding links between Lufthansa and its group partners. This will include network planning for all hub airlines and development of further commercial partnerships and joint ventures.
The announcement comes as the German Airline group moves to acquire Italian carrier ITA Airways and also partner with Italian state-owned rail company, Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, to provide better links between train and airline travel in the country.
Lufthansa Airlines CEO Jens Ritter said: "Stefan Kreuzpaintner has played a key role in shaping Lufthansa Airlines in very challenging times. I am very grateful to him for this and for his loyalty.
“I am also delighted Heiko Reitz is now enriching the Lufthansa Airlines board team. With his experience in the commercial sector, his deep understanding of comprehensive partnerships, networks and customer offerings and developments in the airline industry, Heiko Reitz will drive the development of Lufthansa Airlines with a strong focus on customer needs."
The appointment news also follows reports earlier this week of plans to cut more than 30,000 flights from Lufthansa’s original summer 2023 schedule.