There is a change in leadership at the Austrian aviation authority Austro Control, as the previous managing director Valerie Hackl is replaced by Elisabeth Landrichter, who is currently deputy head of the traffic section and head of the aviation group in the Gewessler Ministry.

The future ACG boss will receive a five-year contract and will run the company alongside Philipp Piber. “I am pleased that we can appoint Elisabeth Landrichter, a proven expert, to head Austro Control. Aviation runs like a common thread through her professional career. In my ministry she is highly respected for her expertise and valued for her meticulousness. I wish her every success in her new role and the tasks that await her and look forward to further cooperation,” said Transport Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens).

Valerie Hackl, Managing Director of Austro Control GmbH since 2019, will stay with ACG until the middle of the year and thus ensure a smooth handover. Transport Minister Leonore Gewessler: “I would like to thank Valerie Hackl for her achievements over the past few years. Despite multiple crises, she steered the company with a steady hand through the corona pandemic and the aviation crisis. It is to her great credit that she always focused on the contribution of air traffic control to greater climate protection.”

Elisabeth Landrichter on her appointment: “The aviation industry is facing a massive transformation towards more sustainability in the coming years. I would like to make my contribution to this megatrend and our fundamental demands for safety, service and efficiency in the coming years.”

“Austro Control has been faced with very special challenges in recent years due to the pandemic and the associated aviation crisis. We have not only managed to overcome these hurdles and provide our services more efficiently and punctually than before the crisis, but at the same time we have also further digitized Austro Control and set important strategic foundations for a successful future in European aviation. I would like to thank all colleagues in the company who made this possible,” said outgoing managing director Valerie Hackl.