"Barbara Kracht is a legend in the aviation industry, known and respected by journalists and Public Relations professionals around the world. She is one of the pioneers of aerospace PR, having played an instrumental role in building the global brand and reputation of Airbus. Barbara has also made an enormous contribution to developing the media's understanding of aviation safety and the benefits of new technologies. I cannot think of any other aviation PR professional with a greater depth of knowledge and experience than Barbara."

John Bailey, Managing Director, ICON International Communications, Singapore.

"I have worked with Barbara Kracht for over 17 years. In those 17 years I have come across a few individuals who are as focused, professional and ethical as her. Barbara?s extreme professionalism and worthy tenure at Airbus ranks her as one of the top achievers in her field in the world. Her knowledge and her understanding of the field of PR, of media and of people has given her a powerful perspective and positioning.

That apart, her unique empathy towards people and its translation into developing strategy for solving issues, makes for an individual whose advise any corporate would greatly depend upon. Her leadership role, based as it were in Europe, extends to the Americas and to Asia, Africa and beyond, making her advise truly international."

Nikhil Khanna Managing Director, Avian Media, New Dehli.

"Barbara is a consummate communications and media relations practitioner, with whom I have had the pleasure and privilege of working closely with over the past 20 years.

She is dedicated, focused and possesses a wealth of experience, a clarity of thought and invaluable knowledge of the aviation and news media environments. These attributes combine with Barbara?s engaging and approachable style to accord her the legendary reputation and respect she enjoys among her aerospace industry peers and countless journalists throughout the world.

On a personal level, Barbara has been a constant inspiration and a guiding hand."

Linden Birns, Associate Director Crisis Communications Africa at Kenyon International , Owner and Managing Director at Plane Talking Public Relations, South Africa.

"Flight International journalists honoured Airbus press office chief Barbara Kracht?s 34 years? work linking the company with newsrooms around the world, as she attends her last Farnborough air show before leaving Toulouse for Seville, Spain, to take over media relations at Airbus? Military Transport Aircraft Division.

The Kracht name is synonymous with Airbus, because Barbara?s father, Felix, a brilliant aeronautical engineer, was one of the company?s original founding fathers. Barbara?s daughter, Marina, is at university now studying aeronautical engineering."

Flight International - 18/07/08

Published by Kaji-San in Wings Magazine of Japan