In line with the strategy outlined some months ago, Air Malta has appointed Ms Ursula Silling as Chief Commercial Officer.

Aside from the appointment of the new Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), a new Chief Financial Controller has also been hired, this newsroom has learnt.

Ursula Silling, who has taken up the post as CCO, began working three weeks ago, "bringing vast experience in aviation, technology, retailing, marketing, sales and distribution sectors".

She has worked with low cost and network airlines, IT systems providers and tour operators in different countries and held senior executive management positions with Lufthansa, British Airways, Virgin Express, Brussels Airlines, the TUI group and Aerosvit Ukrainian Airlines, the newsroom was told.

"She brings a deep commercial experience, covering global sales, distribution, electronic / mobile business, ancillary revenues and retailing, marketing, CRM, loyalty and customer management, revenue management and pricing, network planning, code-sharing, in-flight services, Public Relations, technology and ground services".

The airline has also appointed Mr Klaus Gossler as Chief Financial Officer. He began working for Air Malta last Friday.

Mr Gossler has spent the last 19 years working for British Airways. During his time at BA, Klaus has occupied a number of senior finance management positions including financial responsibility of many airline specific functions including Commercial, Operations, Marketing and Distribution. More recently he was the airline's Head of Worldwide Finance.

"As announced several months ago, these two chief officers are being shadowed by Maltese deputies who will take over these posts in three years' time," an Air Malta representative has said.