Kay Kratky named CEO-elect of Austrian Airlines

Kay Kratky has been selected as the new CEO of Austrian Airlines, subject to Supervisory Board approval. 

He should succeed Jaan Albrecht, who has accepted the job as CEO of Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines’ joint-venture, SunExpress.

“After a difficult period Austrian Airlines is well on track to further expand its position and become competitive. Now the focus is on a resolute modernisation of its fleet and strengthening of Vienna as an air travel hub. Kay Kratky is an ideal candidate to enable the airline to successfully continue along this path”, said Carsten Spohr, chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG.

Kay Kratky (57) has been a Member of the Lufthansa German Airlines Board since 2011. As chief operating officer (COO), he is responsible for flight operations and the Frankfurt hub with about 20,000 employees.

Equator Learning, a leading online and interactive travel trade engagement provider, has expanded its team with the appointment of Craig Liddle as business development manager.

Craig was previously key account manager with Titan Travel and is now eager to further cement Equator Learning as the UK’s number one e-learning platform within the travel industry.

Craig can be contacted via email at craig.liddle@equatorlearning.com or on 07713 919534.

Sheraton Hotels & Resorts has appointed Thierry Henrot general manager of the Sheraton Skyline Hotel London Heathrow. 

Henrot joins the Sheraton Skyline from Le Méridien Etoile in Paris where he was hotel manager.

Originally from France, Henrot began his long career with Starwood Hotels & Resorts in 2001 as F&B manager at the Sheraton Porto Alegre in Brazil.  After five years at the property, he moved to the Sheraton Barra in Rio de Janeiro to head up their F&B operations before returning to Europe in 2007 to take on the role of F&B director at the Sheraton Porto in Portugal.

Having been promoted to the position of Executive Assistant Manager at the Sheraton Lisbon in early 2009, Henrot remained in Portugal until September 2011 when he was given the opportunity to move to France as hotel manager of the 1,025-room Le Méridien Etoile.

Reporting to Colin Bennett, Area Manager UK & Ireland, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Henrot will now manage the 350-room Sheraton Skyline hotel at London’s Heathrow Airport, including the hotel’s popular Sports Bar & Grill, Madhu’s Heathrow Indian restaurant which launched last year and extensive conference and banqueting facilities.

Colin Bennett said of the announcement, “We are delighted to welcome Thierry to the UK team.  I know that the Sheraton Skyline will benefit enormously from the extensive Sheraton experience he gained in Brazil and Portugal, as well as all he learnt overseeing operations at the magnificent Le Méridien Etoile in Paris.”