Arnd Schwierholz new Chief Financial Officer at airberlin

On 1st April 2015 Arnd Schwierholz (45) will be taking over as airberlin’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO). He has already held the position Deputy CFO at Germany’s second largest airline since the end of October 2014.

“In Arnd Schwierholz, the airberlin Management Board has gained a financial expert with more than twelve years of extensive experience in the field of airline finance. These skills will move forward the restructuring program at airberlin”, said Dr Hans-Joachim Körber, Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Schwierholz takes over from Ulf Hüttmeyer (41), who has had the role of the Chief Financial Officer for nine years and will now work in a new position with enhanced responsibilities for Etihad Airways.

“On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Ulf Hüttmeyer for his consistent work to position airberlin as one of Europe’s leading airlines. In the decisive phases, which include the IPO, the acquisitions of dba and LTU, the entry into oneworld® and the partnership with Etihad Airways, he navigated airberlin through challenging economic times. Due to his accumulated experience within the banking sector, he has successfully conducted numerous capital market transactions in recent years and optimized the aircraft financing portfolio”, added Dr Körber.

Arnd Schwierholz’ professional background includes positions within UBS Investment Bank, experience as a company founder and as Head of Mergers & Acquisitions for Deutsche Lufthansa AG. Before joining airberlin Arnd Schwierholz was CFO North America for LSG Sky Chefs, the catering subsidiary of Deutsche Lufthansa AG.

airberlin is one of the leading airlines in Europe and flies to 150 destinations worldwide each year. The second largest airline in Germany carried more than 31.7 million passengers in 2014. airberlin offers a global route network through its strategic partnership with Etihad Airways, which has a 29.21% share in airberlin, and through membership of the oneworld airline alliance. topbonus, the frequent flyer program of airberlin is one of the leading programs in Europe with more than 3.5 million members. The airline with the award-winning service operates codeshare flights worldwide with 20 airlines. The fleet is among the most modern and eco-efficient in Europe. Together with other airlines, airberlin belongs to Etihad Airways Partners, a new brand with which Etihad has been uniting shared activities since the end of 2014.