After only half a year, there is another change of group spokesman at Austrian Airlines. Tanja Gruber, who was entrusted with the management of communications after her predecessor Peter Thier switched to Erste Bank AG, will leave the company.

At the same time, Austrian Airlines will merge the previously separate communication and politics departments. 29-year-old Sophie Matkovits, who previously worked for the ÖAMTC motoring club, will be in charge of the management. The change should take effect on April 1, 2021. In her new role, Matkovits will report to Austrian Airlines CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech as well as to Andreas Bartels, Head of Communications in the Lufthansa Group, and to Kay Lindemann, Head of Group Policy.

“With her broad experience in the areas of communication and politics, Sophie Matkovits brings with her exactly the specialist knowledge and network that is necessary to manage the newly created company division. I am convinced that she will succeed in setting up the new organization effectively and I am looking forward to welcoming her to Austrian Airlines ”, said AUA boss Alexis von Hoensbroech.

According to a media release, 31-year-old Tanja Gruber will leave the Austrian Lufthansa subsidiary at her own request in order to be able to devote herself to a new challenge outside the Kranich Group. She had worked for the carrier for around 6,5 years. Most recently she was in charge of corporate communications.

“It is of course very painful that we are losing Tanja Gruber, a communications professional and an absolute top talent from our own ranks. In the past year, she has shown particular sensitivity, especially in the area of ​​crisis communication, and maneuvered us very well through the difficult times of the corona pandemic with extensive internal and external communication. We sincerely wish Tanja Gruber all the best for her new professional challenge, ”explains Alexis von Hoensbroech.

New position for Reimann too

In recent years, Walter Reimann (60) has coordinated the negotiation of traffic rights for all airlines in the Lufthansa Group in addition to the division management of International & Aeropolitical Affairs. In addition to his local agendas, he will take over the technical management of traffic law issues for the Lufthansa Group.

“I would like to thank Walter Reimann for his extraordinary commitment in the field of International & Aeropolitical Affairs in recent years. I look forward to further cooperation in the new line-up, ”said von Hoensbroech.