Press Release

Oana Petrescu is the new CEO of Blue Air

Bucharest, Romania, May 9th, 2019 - Blue Air, the third largest low-cost carrier in Central Europe, announces the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Oana Petrescu.

Oana succeeds Marius Puiu, who has been the Company’s interim Chief Executive Officer since September 2018. She is a turnaround professional with 28 years of experience in finance, IT and commercial management and is a recognized expert at driving improved operational and financial performance.

In the Chief Executive Officer’s role, Oana will be focused on fulfilling Blue Air’s vision: to become the leading Next Generation, Low Cost Carrier Airline in Central Europe. The strategy to achieve this will include operational and commercial consolidation, improved management systems, and enhanced corporate governance.

"Blue Air has many opportunities ahead. In order to increase our commercial and operational performances we are, we will adopt a business model adapted to the current market – namely Low Cost – Low Complexity. I have faith in Blue Air’s professional team, and I am confident that together we will significantly enhance both the communication with our passengers and their experience at the airport and inflight."

Oana joined the Blue Air team back in January last year as interim CFO and turnaround manager, and has worked together with Marius, the shareholders and the entire leadership team to create a solid foundation for Blue Air to pursue healthy and sustainable growth. Oana Petrescu’s previous experience includes: Audit, Risk Advisory and Consultancy Partner at Arthur Andersen, Ernst & Young and Deloitte, and also Executive Vice President of Banca Comerciala Romana (BCR) after Romania's biggest bank privatisation.

Mr. Puiu will remain with Blue Air and return to his first love – being a pilot. He remains confident in Blue Air’s future and in the ability of the new management team to ensure the Company’s sustainable growth:

“It has been an honour and a pleasure to lead Blue Air. It is the right time for our company to continue its growth with Oana Petrescu and the new executive management team”

Oana’s new role follows the recent appointments of Ms. Dana Popescu (Chief Financial Officer), Mr. Carsten Schaeffer (Chief Commercial Officer), Mr. Cristian Buciu (Chief Operations Officer) and Mr. Aurelian Bobei (Chief Technical Officer).

Dana Popescu was appointed this spring Blue Air’s Chief Financial Officer. Shas 20 years of experience in consultancy and financial services with Andersen Consulting, EY, Bancpost, Erste Group and Vodafone. She joined Blue Air in May 2018.

Carsten Schaeffer is Blue Air’s new Chief Commercial Officer. With 30 years of experience in senior roles with Lufthansa, Air Berlin, the traveller loyalty programme – Miles & More - and the global distribution system – Sabre, Carsten joined Blue Air in December 2018.

Cristian Buciu was appointed Chief Operations Officer and is Blue Air’s former Ground Operations Director. For more than 10 years he ensured the performance of all ground operational activities of Blue Air, as well as fulfilling the company's commercial objectives.

Aurelian Bobei’s appointment as Chief Technical Officer completes the new management team of Blue Air. With more than 24 years of aviation expertise and member of the Blue Air family since May 2007, Aurelian started his journey within the company as an Engineering and Planning Manager and then he was promoted Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO) Director. Today, he is responsible for coordinating Blue Air’s fleet management and maintenance activities.

This new executive management team is an optimum mix of aviation and financial experience, and is committed to continued, enhanced corporate governance.