After several months of vacancy, Salzburg Airport has found a new Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) for Sales and Aviation in Bernhard Wodl.
The experienced aviation expert is taking on a key position that will have a significant impact on the airport's future direction and success. Management has been eagerly awaiting this personnel decision, as the position has been held on an interim basis by Bettina Ganghofer, the airport's managing director, since the beginning of the year. Wodl is a high-profile specialist who will now take on the tasks in the sales and aviation areas and, with his many years of experience and international contacts, will set the course for a successful future.
An experienced aviation professional at the helm
Bernhard Wodl brings with him an impressive career in the aviation sector. Before moving to Salzburg, he was General Manager at Lufthansa and headed the business in the Caucasus region, Central Asia, Belarus and the Russian Federation. His career spans several key positions in the aviation industry, including Regional Director at Swiss International Airlines, where he was responsible for Austria and Central-Eastern Europe. He gained extensive experience in the strategic orientation of sales organizations and developed innovative sales and marketing strategies that promoted the commercial success of the respective locations.
Bernhard Wodl was chosen as the new CCO of Salzburg Airport following a careful selection process, which was supported by the renowned HR consultancy Iro & Partner. It is no surprise that Wodl stood out among numerous applicants: With his comprehensive expertise and his ability to develop complex markets and optimise business processes, he is the ideal person for the vacant position.
Challenges and Opportunities for Salzburg Airport
Bernhard Wodl's appointment comes at a crucial time. Salzburg Airport, as Austria's second-largest airport, is facing major challenges but also opportunities. In particular, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have severely impacted air traffic in recent years, and many airports around the world are facing declining passenger numbers and economic uncertainty. The aim now is to secure and further expand the commercial success of Salzburg Airport.
Bernhard Wodl has proven in the past that he can operate successfully in difficult markets. His focus will be on increasing passenger and freight traffic, especially in the airport's new terminal. He will draw on his international contacts to develop new flight connections and expand Salzburg Airport's network. Wodl's experience will also be a great advantage in the area of ground handling. He will be able to use his extensive network and language skills, especially when negotiating with partners and airlines, to further strengthen the Salzburg location.
Airport Managing Director Bettina Ganghofer was extremely pleased with the decision: "Bernhard Wodl will fit well into our airport team. With his hands-on mentality and excellent communication skills, he will quickly become a valuable member of our management team." This assessment suggests that Wodl will be an asset to the airport's management team not only in terms of his expertise, but also on a personal level.
Wodl's comprehensive expertise in aviation
Bernhard Wodl began his career as a freelance travel agent in 1993 and has since then continuously developed in the aviation sector. During his career at Lufthansa and Swiss International Airlines, he held various management positions, including in the areas of business development, pricing and operational services. These diverse experiences have not only given him in-depth industry knowledge, but have also sharpened his ability to make strategic decisions that promote economic success.
In addition, Wodl is also very active in his private life. In addition to his professional activities, he is currently deepening his knowledge in the field of business psychology at the IU International University. This shows his drive to constantly learn and develop new perspectives that will be of great benefit to him in his role as a manager.
New impulses for Salzburg Airport
With Bernhard Wodl as the new CCO for Sales and Aviation, Salzburg Airport is facing a promising future. Wodl not only brings years of experience in international aviation, but also the ability to develop and implement innovative concepts. His clear goal is to further increase the airport's commercial success, expand the flight business in both the passenger and cargo sectors, and optimize the passenger experience in the new terminal.
The coming months will show what new impetus Wodl will provide and how he will lead the airport into a stable and successful future. With his experience and his wide-ranging contacts in the aviation industry, Wodl has the potential to further establish Salzburg as an important regional and international hub.