Mr. Carsten Schaeffer moves to Lufthansa German Airlines in Dubai to head sales and services in the region
Duba "Almasalla Travel News" As of April 1, 2012, Lufthansa German Airlines appoints Mr. Carsten Schaeffer as the airline’s new Vice President for Sales and Services for Southeast Europe, Africa and Middle East, based out of Dubai, UAE.
In his new role, Mr. Schaeffer will be responsible for the overall sales and representation of Lufthansa across 28 countries and 38 destinations in Southeast Europe, Middle East and Africa. Mr Schaffer was previously Managing Director at Miles & More International, GmbH, Lufthansa’s frequent flyer programme, from 2005 to March 2012.
Mr. Schaeffer succeeds Mr. Joachim Steinbach who successfully steered Lufthansa for nine years in his capacity as Vice President; managing the airline’s growth in the region from 2003, and helping to establish Lufthansa as the leading European airline across Southeast Europe, Africa and Middle East markets. Mr. Steinbach now moves to Germany to take up Mr Schaeffer’s previous role as Managing Director for Miles & More International GmbH.
As he handed over the reins, Mr. Steinbach said: “We welcome the appointment of Mr. Carsten Schaeffer, who brings with him two decades of expertise and an extensive background in the airline industry. He will undoubtedly make a valuable contribution and strengthen Lufthansa’s presence in the region.”
Born in Büsum, Germany, Mr. Schaeffer started his career at Lufthansa German Airlines in 1984 as sales coordinator and rose to director in 1992 holding various posts and responsibilities within the company until 1996. His career at the airline was temporarily interrupted when he worked for Deutsches Reisebüro and TRUST International from1996 to 2000. Mr. Schaeffer then returned to Lufthansa German Airline as Director for Business Development and Alliances North America, based in New York, USA. With his excellent business skills in the field of airline alliances, Mr. Schaeffer then moved to Germany to assume the role of Managing Director at Miles & More International, GmbH.
“I look forward to my move to the UAE and to being at the helm of Lufthansa German Airlines across 28 markets. Southeast Europe, and the Middle East and Africa in particular, are significant growth markets and highly-competitive, which provides Lufthansa with an opportunity to cement our position as the leading European airline across each of these regions,” said Mr. Schaeffer. “With our comprehensive network of destinations, we certainly meet the demands for travel to and from Europe and North America, and are well placed to leverage our strong brand and product offerings. Lufthansa’s investments in product upgrades and innovations – such as the global roll out of our new Business Class and the anticipated arrival of the Boeing 747-8 this year will boost our position,” said Mr. Schaeffer.
