BERLIN, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Lufthansa named ThorstenDirks, the chief executive of Telefonica Deutschland,to its management board to lead the expansion of budget unitEurowings, which is rapidly building its presence in Europethanks to recent deals.
Dirks replaces long-time Lufthansa manager Karl UlrichGarnadt, who is retiring because he is turning 60 in January.
Eurowings is Lufthansa's answer to regain market share lostto low-cost rivals such as Ryanair and easyJet.
Its aim to become Europe's third largest point-to-pointcarrier will be reached ahead of time should it successfullycomplete planned deals to lease up to 40 planes and their crewfrom ailing rival Air Berlin and take over Brussels Airlines. (Reporting by Victoria Bryan; Editing by Maria Sheahan)
easyJet (EZJ)