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Wolfgang Kurth Appointed CEO of Hapag-Lloyd Express

Press Release: TUI AG
September 30, 2002
HANOVER -- Wolfgang Kurth (54), TUI AG divisional director Airlines, takes up with effect from 1 October 2002 the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hapag-Lloyd Express, TUI AG's low-cost carrier. Commenting on the appointment, Charles Gurassa, TUI AG executive director Airlines said: "Wolfgang Kurth brings extensive aviation industry know-how, a proven track record and business acumen to his new position. In the last year, he has successfully created and implemented our single airline platform at TUI Airline Management. Under his leadership, I am confident Hapag-Lloyd Express will be highly successful."

"We intend to build up a talented new team at Hapag-Lloyd Express consisting of experienced airline staff. Other members of the organisation will be announced very shortly. I am confident with our new team and plans for Hapag-Lloyd Express we will have a major impact on this new market," says the new CEO.

Wolfgang Kurth began his professional career in 1977 in the Central Organisation department of Deutsche Lufthansa AG in Cologne. In 1979 he moved to Hapag-Lloyd Flug GmbH in Hanover where he joined the management board in 1990 and became chairman in 1998. In July 1999 Kurth joined the executive board of Hapag Touristik Union GmbH (HTU), which ran all of the tourism activities within the former Preussag Group. He was director of the Airlines department. Kurth has been the TUI AG divisional director in charge of the Airlines department since 1 January 2001, and was subsequently responsible for starting up and managing TUI Airline Management.

The Group announced at the end of August that it would enter the low-cost carrier market this year with the new brand "Hapag-Lloyd Express", and fly European and inner-German routes from Cologne/Bonn airport.