Hans-Jörg Dau, born in 1967, graduated in aerospace technology. Following his basic course in mechanical engineering in Hannover he studied aerospace technology in Braunschweig where he was already able to present independent research developments. He was granted the German and American patent for the development of a new fuel level measurement method for increasing air safety, and in 2000 he was awarded the Berblinger Prize for innovative developments in aviation. Inspired by his grandfather’s entrepreneurial spirit, the active pilot and Investigator for the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Investigation founded DAUtec GmbH in 2003. Still in the same year, Hans-Jörg Dau established dauair AG which existed until August 2006. By founding dauair Verwaltungs GmbH, Hans-Jörg Dau carries on the concept of a regional airline.

Dirk Tapella, born in 1970, graduated in business administration and can look back on more than a decade of professional experience. Following an apprenticeship in banking (Deutsche Bank AG) he studied science management in Würzburg and Munich (LMU). He started his professional career as a trainee at EADS in Munich and Sao Paulo, where he was significantly involved in the foundation and build-up of a subsidiary company. Subsequently, his path led him to KID-Systeme GmbH, a supplying company for Airbus, where he took responsibility for the financial and the buying department as the company’s Vice President. Dirk Tapella restructured both departments and got them back into shape for future challenges. Later he was directly requested by Airbus where he held central leading positions in the departments of cabin design and process improvement. Since the end of 2006, Dirk Tapella is a member of the management board of DAUtec, and in July 2007 he founded dauair Verwaltungs GmbH.