Air France-KLM cargo boss Bram Gräber is stepping down to join Netherlands-based Royal Boskalis Westminster as group director maritime services for its offshore energy division.
Gräber was appointed temporary executive vice president of Air France KLM Cargo in March 2015, following the departure of chief executive Erik Varwijk.
Gräber will leave Air France-KLM in June after 20 years in the airline business. AF-KLM said that his successor will be announced “in the near future”.
In his new role, Gräber will be responsible for the maritime services activities including heavy marine transport and subsea services within Boskalis.
A Boskalis statement said: “Mr Gräber has a long history within KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and brings with him a wealth of experience in the field of logistics and cargo.
“In his last role as EVP Air France KLM, Cargo and Transavia, he was commercially responsible for the airline's global cargo business with a focus on restructuring and repositioning given turbulent market dynamics, as well the strategic development of low cost airline Transavia.”
Peter Berdowski, chief executive of Boskalis, said: "We are very excited that Bram has taken on this position. I believe his extensive and successful track record in managing cargo in a capital intensive industry with turbulent market dynamics will benefit our maritime services. I wish him success in heading up this growing part of the group."
Alexandre de Juniac, chairman and chief executive of Air France-KLM, said:"I would like to thank Bram most sincerely for his significant contribution to the Group's development in the various positions he has held over the years.
"The members of the executive committee join me in wishing him every success in his new professional environment.”
Gräber took charge of Air France KLM at a difficult period of its history. The carrier had announced a drastic slimming down of its freighter fleet in a bid to stem mounting losses, and many months of delicate negotiations with the trade unions were in prospect.
