Finnair’s Board of Directors has appointed Pekka Vauramo CEO of Finnair as of June 1, 2013. Vauramo, age 55, has been based in Hong Kong since 2010 and currently works as COO of the MacGregor Business Area of Cargotec, a Finnish cargo and load handling company.

Since 2007 he has served in various positions at Cargotec, such as head of Cargotec’s MacGregor Business, deputy CEO of Cargotec as well as head of the Kalmar Business Unit. Vauramo started his managerial career at Sandvik, a Swedish mining and construction company, where he worked from 1985 to 2007. Vauramo holds a MSc (mining) degree from Helsinki University of Technology.

“Pekka Vauramo has a long international experience of logistics and business-to-business trade in global markets. His excellent track record in managing complex partnership processes, strong experience in the Asian markets combined with his leadership skills are a perfect match for Finnair,” says Klaus Heinemann, Chairman of the Board at Finnair. “Our company has a clear strategy regarding Asian growth and reducing costs through partnerships, and it is critical to continue the prompt execution of this strategy.”

“The board is convinced that Pekka Vauramo and his Finnair leadership team have the competencies to drive through the restructuring and cost savings program Finnair started in 2011, and execute Finnair’s ambitious Asian and Nordic expansion plans. Pekka Vauramo has a proven track record of leading businesses in the right direction under difficult conditions, and we are confident that Finnair will be able to reach its strategic targets with Pekka at the helm of the company,” Heinemann continues.

“I am excited about joining Finnair, an icon of international aviation known by every Finn. I look forward to working with the Finnair team to further grow the business and to increase the company’s recognition outside Finland, fully leveraging the business potential of Asian markets. The company’s turnaround last year gives us a solid ground for building future success,” saysPekka Vauramo. ”Having said that, I recognize that success will require hard work and a faultless execution of the company strategy. I know Finnair people are highly professional and strongly committed to their company. By working together we can grow and achieve sustainable profitability together with our partners. This we can only achieve by continuously developing our service to ensure customer satisfaction.”

Pekka Vauramo will succeed Mika Vehviläinen, who left the company at the end of February 2013 to join Cargotec as its CEO.