Key Takeaways
• Frank Bauer becomes COO of Lufthansa Cargo on July 1, 2025, leading technical operations and expansion.
• Gregor Schleussner joins as CFO, CHRO, and Labor Director, overseeing finance, HR, legal, and infrastructure.
• Leadership changes aim to balance internal continuity and external innovation for global growth and stability.
Big changes are coming to Lufthansa Cargo’s Executive Board, as two known leaders within the Lufthansa Group take on new roles starting July 1, 2025. This development marks a new step for one of Europe’s largest cargo airlines, with direct effects on its business, employees, and possibly the broader market for air freight. Let’s look at who is stepping in, what their backgrounds are, the goals behind these appointments, and what it all might mean for Lufthansa Cargo’s future and its stakeholders.
Key Leadership Changes Take Center Stage
On July 1, 2025, Lufthansa Cargo will welcome two well-respected leaders to its Executive Board. Frank Bauer, who has served as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Labor Director at Lufthansa Cargo AG, will become the company’s new Chief Operating Officer (COO). At the same time, Gregor Schleussner, who is now the Head of Finance, Controlling & Accounting at Eurowings, will join the Executive Board as the new CFO, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), and Labor Director.
These appointments, announced by Lufthansa Cargo and reported by VisaVerge.com, aim to complete CEO Ashwin Bhat’s leadership team. The company says these changes are about combining continuity—keeping strong leaders from within the company—with new skills and perspectives from across the broader Lufthansa Group. For a big global brand like Lufthansa Cargo, such changes matter not only internally but also to businesses, workers, and countries that rely on efficient and stable cargo operations.
Frank Bauer: Bringing Technical Know-how to the COO Role
Frank Bauer’s appointment as COO is a natural next step in his career. Bauer has been a familiar face within the Lufthansa Group since 2007. He even returned to Deutsche Lufthansa in 2012 after valuable experience with Jade Cargo in China. This international exposure, mixed with years of management work, means Bauer understands the many sides of the air cargo world.
Bauer first moved into bigger leadership when he took on management roles focused on finance and human resources at Lufthansa Group companies. In August 2023, he began overseeing finance and HR at Lufthansa Cargo itself. His work in these areas has given him a solid foundation in both the numbers side of the business and how to lead teams.
His new role as COO puts him in charge of technical operations. This is a big responsibility since operations affect everything from how planes are maintained, to how cargo is loaded, tracked, and delivered. Bauer is expected to draw on his wide experience in both financial management and technical tasks. The company is counting on him not just to keep things running well, but to help Lufthansa Cargo expand into new areas. As global trade patterns change and new technologies appear, having someone who knows every part of the business—from balance sheets to the details of cargo handling—sets Lufthansa Cargo up for stable growth.
Gregor Schleussner: A Finance Leader With a Broad Portfolio
Stepping into Frank Bauer’s old roles is Gregor Schleussner, who will become Lufthansa Cargo’s CFO, CHRO, and Labor Director. Schleussner is coming from Eurowings, another Lufthansa Group company, where he currently leads finance, controlling, and accounting.
Schleussner’s new job at Lufthansa Cargo will be even broader than before. He won’t just look after the finances. He’ll also be in charge of human resources, controlling, legal, corporate and political affairs, information management, supply management, and infrastructure. That’s a wide range of responsibilities, but his time at Eurowings has prepared him for managing both numbers and people.
At a time when cargo businesses face fast changes in markets, regulations, and technology, Schleussner’s skills can help Lufthansa Cargo stay strong and look for new ways to grow. His focus will likely be on making sure the company uses its resources wisely, keeps its employees on board, and follows all the legal rules that come with being a global brand.
Statements from Leadership: Emphasizing Experience and Fresh Ideas
Dr. Michael Niggemann, who chairs the Supervisory Board of Lufthansa Cargo AG, welcomed these leadership changes openly. He said, “We are very pleased to welcome Gregor Schleussner as the new CFO and Labor Director … As an experienced aviation executive … we are also very pleased to appoint Frank Bauer as COO. His technical background combined with his extensive experience … will be instrumental in ensuring continued success.” These comments highlight how the company values Frank Bauer’s years of experience as well as Gregor Schleussner’s financial skills and ability to manage people. The statement also underlines that these appointments are not just about filling jobs—they are about keeping Lufthansa Cargo competitive in a changing market.
How These Changes Might Affect Lufthansa Cargo and Its Stakeholders
Any time a major company like Lufthansa Cargo makes big changes at the top, it sends signals to employees, customers, and partners. With Frank Bauer taking over as COO, and Gregor Schleussner leading finance and HR tasks, the company’s daily work may become more efficient and better prepared for challenges. How might these appointments affect different groups?
For Employees
- Employees may see changes in how teams work or how decisions are made.
- With Gregor Schleussner overseeing HR, the focus on employee relationships and workplace culture could become stronger.
- Frank Bauer, with experience in both finance and technical management, might help improve working conditions and make processes run smoother.
For Business Partners and Customers
- The air cargo sector is critical for many companies moving goods worldwide.
- Strong financial management, which Schleussner brings, could mean more stable prices and better planning for clients.
- Smooth technical operations under Bauer could result in fewer delays, smarter use of capacity, and safer cargo handling.
For the Company Itself
- Completing the Executive Board under CEO Ashwin Bhat points to a clear direction. When a company’s leadership is settled and focused, it can handle changes in the market better.
- Lufthansa Cargo’s choice to promote from within (Bauer) and bring new talents from other Group brands (Schleussner) shows they want to balance proven skills with new thinking.
For the Broader Industry
- These moves are part of a larger trend among air cargo companies to adapt quickly to new challenges.
- Airlines now face tougher competition, more rules about safety and labor, and rapid jumps in technology.
- Leaders with both financial skills and broad management background are in demand; Bauer and Schleussner fit this bill.
Background: Lufthansa Cargo’s Place in the Air Freight World
Lufthansa Cargo is one of the biggest air cargo carriers in Europe. It connects goods from all continents and is known for being reliable. In recent years, air cargo companies have faced mixed conditions, including spikes in demand during events like the global pandemic and sudden drops because of economic changes. The pace of change is fast, with more cargo moving thanks to global e-commerce and supply chains, but also with new rules and higher expectations for quick, safe deliveries.
Having an effective, balanced Executive Board is vital for Lufthansa Cargo to respond well to these market shifts. The airline must handle everything from complex logistics to meeting legal requirements in the many countries it serves. Both Frank Bauer and Gregor Schleussner come with experience in key areas for this work.
Why Internal Experience and New Talent Both Matter
By appointing Frank Bauer as COO, Lufthansa Cargo recognizes the value of someone who knows both the company and the wider Lufthansa Group. Bauer’s deep experience in management, finance, and operations means he already understands how Lufthansa Cargo works, who the key people are, and what customers expect.
Gregor Schleussner, by joining from Eurowings, brings a fresh view, plus successful experience in running finance and HR at another big airline in the Group. His background will help him handle not only the numbers, but also the needs of a large, diverse workforce and the many legal rules that come with international business.
The leadership team’s balance echoes a long-term strategy: keep the culture and knowledge that make a company great, but also invite in new ideas to stay ahead.
The Strategic Emphasis: Growth In a Changing World
The broader aim, as stated by Lufthansa Cargo, is to chase further global growth amid shifting market conditions. Growth today is not just about flying more routes or carrying more boxes. It means:
- Meeting complex legal requirements for employee rights, safety, and privacy.
- Managing costs and using technology to keep prices fair for customers.
- Supporting supply chains that are increasingly international and more tightly timed.
- Attracting and keeping talented workers in a competitive market.
- Planning for new risks, like changing regulations, higher fuel costs, and the push for greener, more sustainable operations.
The company’s decision to finalize its Executive Board now, almost a year before the changes take effect, also shows a focus on careful planning and clear communication with both staff and the market.
Broader Industry Trends: What This Means For Air Cargo
The cargo business is tightly connected with global trade, so changes at a leading company like Lufthansa Cargo can have a ripple effect:
- Other airlines may follow similar approaches when updating leadership or seeking people with both financial and technical backgrounds.
- Partner businesses, like ground handlers, customs brokers, and logistics providers, may respond by adjusting their own plans or looking for new ways to work together.
- Governments and regulators watching for signs of stability and compliance may see these appointments as positive, especially given Schleussner’s and Bauer’s backgrounds in compliance and legal affairs.
Next Steps and What To Watch For
As July 2025 approaches, both Bauer and Schleussner are expected to work with current leaders to ensure a smooth handover. Employees and partners will be watching to see if the company stays on its growth path and how the new board will handle both day-to-day challenges and sudden changes.
Lufthansa Cargo’s commitment to reliable, timely service, and constant improvement remains unchanged. Strong governance and quick response to market needs will be key. Stakeholders who want to stay updated on these changes can find more details on official channels, like the Lufthansa Cargo corporate website, which provides background on leadership roles and updates on company plans.
In Summary
On July 1, 2025, Frank Bauer will step up as COO, drawing on years of experience in finance and operations. At the same time, Gregor Schleussner will take on a broad CFO/CHRO/labor role, bringing fresh financial skills and people management experience from Eurowings. These appointments, as reported by VisaVerge.com, round out the Executive Board under CEO Ashwin Bhat, putting the airline in a strong position to handle both today’s needs and tomorrow’s challenges.
Whether you’re an employee, a business partner, or just an observer of the air cargo world, these changes suggest Lufthansa Cargo is thinking ahead. By blending tested leadership with new skills, the company aims to keep growing, stay reliable, and meet the fast-changing demands of global trade for years to come.
Learn Today
Chief Operating Officer (COO) → Executive responsible for airline’s technical operations, ensuring aircraft maintenance, cargo handling, and delivery efficiency.
Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) → Top executive overseeing employee relations, workplace culture, recruitment, and human resources strategy.
Labor Director → Leader focusing on labor relations, contracts, and compliance with employment regulations within the organization.
Executive Board → Governing team responsible for setting company policy, direction, and strategic decisions at the highest management level.
Global Supply Chains → Complex systems linking producers, shippers, and sellers worldwide—reliant on efficient, timely cargo movement for business success.
This Article in a Nutshell
Lufthansa Cargo will see major leadership changes July 1, 2025: Frank Bauer moves to COO, and Gregor Schleussner joins as CFO and CHRO. Both bring extensive experience, promising strong technical and financial leadership. The appointments signal a strategic push for balanced growth, stability, and modernized operations across the global air cargo sector.
— By VisaVerge.com
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