Wolfgang Prock-Schauer joins the airline as chief executive. Image:Staralliance

Wolfgang Prock-Shauer has been selected to head German carrier, airberlin, replacing Hartmut Mehdorn, who has been in the post on a transitional basis since late 2011.

Commencing this week, Mr Prock-Schauer will join the airline as chief executive as well as executive director in the Board of Directors.

Air Berlin PLC chairman Dr Hans-Joachim Körber said Mr Prock-Schauer was a “respected expert” in aviation and would start his role by taking responsibility for the carrier’s planned two-year “Turbine” Turnaround Program.

“airberlin is facing huge challenges,” the new CEO said. 

“We must continue to push our process of change forward rapidly to become lean and smart, so that we can be successful in the global competitive environment.”

Mr Prock-Schauer was the former chief strategy and planning officer on the manager board of airberlin and will also continue in this role until further notice.