Global distribution system Sabre will have a new head of operations in Europe from September.
Former Lufthansa marketing vice-president Harald Eisenaecher will take over as Sabre Travel Network’s senior vice-president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa on September 1, replacing Martin Cowley.
Eisenaecher will join from Deutsche Telekom where he was senior vice-president for personal and social networking. He was previously head of marketing and sales at eBay Germany.
Cowley will return to work for Sabre in Australia where he will have responsibility for growth in Asia.
Sabre is part of global technology group Sabre Holdings which is locked in a dispute with American Airlines that could see the pair back in court in the US at the end of August.
However, the company has said it does not foresee a breakdown of its GDS full-content agreement with American despite this being due to expire at the end of the month. Sabre and American are in talks, but a failure to reach agreement could see American disappear from the screens of agents using the Sabre system.
Sabre Travel Network president Greg Webb said: “Harald Eisenaecher’s diverse marketing and commercial experience within the telecommunication, airline and e-commerce industry give him a unique perspective.” Eisenaecher said: “I like the dynamic of the travel industry.”