Former Bmi chief executive Austin Reid is replacing ex-racing driver Niki Lauda as a non-executive director at Air Berlin.
Lauda has left the board of the airline to devote more time to his role as chairman of the Mercedes Formula 1 team.
Reid, chief executive of Bmi until 2005, previous worked for Hertz and KMPG in New York. More recently, he has been working as an aviation consultant.
Air Berlin chairman Hans-Joachim Körber said: “Austin Reid is a boost for the board of directors of Air Berlin.
“He will make an important contribution to the strategic direction of the company with his many years of experience in the industry.
“The board thanks Niki Lauda for his committed, stimulating work for the benefit of the company.”