OREANDA-NEWS. Felix Eichhorn (35), previously Senior Vice President of Sales, Yield Management & Flight Operation for AIDA Cruises has been appointed new President of AIDA Cruises, effective September 1, 2015. Michael Ungerer (49) will take on new managerial responsibilities for Carnival as Chief Operations Officer Shared Services Carnival Asia.

With Felix Eichhorn, a proven industry expert is now assuming leadership of Germany's largest cruise company. He has accompanied the unique growth of AIDA Cruises in various management positions of increasing responsibility for more than 15 years.

"This decision is part of our long-term succession planning within the Costa Group with the goal of further expanding our market leadership in Germany and Asia," said Michael Thamm, CEO of the Costa Group. "Our appointment of Felix Eichhorn confirms that continuous leadership development is a top priority for us. I am convinced that he will successfully further develop the AIDA brand. I would like to thank Michael Ungerer for the significant contributions he has made in developing AIDA Cruises, and I wish him much success in his new position."

Felix Eichhorn started his career at AIDA Cruises in 1999 with a dual studies program in Business Management. In the following years, he held a wide variety of positions on board and on land before assuming responsibility for sales and yield management of AIDA Cruises and Costa in Germany as Senior Vice President Sales, Yield Management & Flight Operation in 2013.

Michael Ungerer, who assumed leadership of AIDA on July 1, 2012, started his career with AIDA in 1997 and held many different leadership positions. As Senior Vice President of Operations he was also responsible for the areas of Marine Operations, Newbuildings and Guest Services. He has been the Chairman of CLIA Deutschland since March 2013.

AIDA Cruises is one of Germany’s fastest growing and most financially successful tourism businesses and currently employs around 7,000 people from 40 countries. Of these employees, 6,000 work on board and 1,000 work at the company headquarters in Rostock and Hamburg. AIDA operates and markets one of the most modern fleets in the world with its 10 cruise ships. The ships are operated in compliance with the highest international quality, environmental and safety standards. By 2020, the AIDA fleet will expand to 14 ships.