OREANDA-NEWS. In its meeting today, the Board of Directors of Cargolux International Airlines S.A. approved a number of executive appointments and promotions, effective 26 March 2014.

Dirk Reich is appointed President & Chief Executive Officer in replacement of Richard Forson, Senior Vice President and Member of the Executive Committee, who had assumed the role of interim CEO since 3 August 2012. Forson will continue to serve as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

Reich has previously been a Member of the Management Board and Executive Vice President at Kuehne & Nagel International AG. Prior to joining Kuehne & Nagel as Senior Vice President Corporate Development, Reich held various positions with Lufthansa AG and VIAG AG. Reich graduated from ‘Wissenschaftliche Hochschule fьr Unternehmensfьhrung’ Koblenz (WHU), Germany.

‘Drawing on his vast worldwide experience in the industry, Dirk brings to Cargolux the experience and leadership required to meet the major challenges confronting the air freight industry’, commented Paul Helminger, Chairman of the Board of Directors.

‘I am excited to take up my new role as CEO of such a reputable company which is held in high regard by customers and competitors alike’, said Dirk Reich. ‘There will be challenges ahead, but I can rely on the support of a highly professional and engaged team and look forward to my new mission with great anticipation and confidence’, he added.

Cargolux President & CEO Dirk Reich will also assume the responsibilities of Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing while global executive search firm Spencer Stuart has been mandated to find a permanent replacement.

Robert Song joins Cargolux as Senior Vice President Asia & Pacific and Member of the Executive Committee. Prior to this Song has held senior management positions with Air New Zealand Cargo and AirBridgeCargo Airlines. Most recently, he had assumed the role of senior advisor to the Henan Civil Aviation and Investment Co. (HNCA). Song is a graduate from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. He will be responsible for maintaining and strengthening Cargolux’s market position in the Asia & Pacific region, including the development of the flight program between Luxembourg and Zhengzhou.

Cargolux also announced the promotions of Marcel Funk to Senior Vice President, Head of Flight Operations, and of Onno Pietersma to Senior Vice President Maintenance & Engineering, both also to be Members of the Executive Committee.

The role of Henning zur Hausen, Senior Vice President Legal Affairs & Compliance, Member of the Executive Committee, remains unchanged.