airberlin has announced the appointment of Gotz Ahmelmann as chief commercial officer (CCO). Gtz Ahmelmann returns to company from Etihad Airways where, since 2015, he successfully implemented projects among the European Etihad Airways Partners. He will contribute his valuable international commercial experience to further the future growth of company as a network carrier. Gtz joins company on 1st March, 2017. On the same date, Julio Rodriguez takes up the position of Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) with NIKI. As previously announced, from the summer 2017 season, NIKI will take over airberlins transport agreements relating to certain leisure destinations in Southern Europe as well as North Africa and Turkey. airberlin has agreed to sell the shares it indirectly holds in NIKI to Etihad Airways, which will in turn contribute it to a new airline group to be established with TUI AG.