Jens Fehlinger to lead SWISS as CEO, bringing extensive Lufthansa Group experience and strategic expertise.
Jens Fehlinger, 43, will assume the role of CEO of Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) on October 1, 2024. He began his career in 2006 at the Lufthansa Group, holding various management positions. He headed Lufthansa Airlines’ strategy and business development and managed the Lufthansa Group’s operational performance. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he led the Lufthansa Group’s crisis management office and subsequently headed the ReNew restructuring project.
Reto Francioni, Chairman of the Board of Directors of SWISS, said, “With Jens Fehlinger, we have gained a profound expert in the industry for SWISS. He has extensive experience in various areas within the Lufthansa Group and has proven that he can successfully drive innovations in aviation. Jens Fehlinger has also built up a new airline with foresight and strategic and operational expertise in close cooperation with his teams, showing that he can lead companies to success. In addition, his personality not only fits in with the management team, but also with the distinctive culture of SWISS. I am very much looking forward to working with him and wish him every success.”
In recent years, Fehlinger co-managed Lufthansa CityLine and built Lufthansa City Airlines as managing director. He holds a commercial pilot’s license and currently flies Airbus A320 aircraft for Lufthansa CityLine.
Jens Fehlinger, CEO, Swiss International Air Lines, said, “I am very much looking forward to SWISS. It is a great company that has done outstanding work, especially in recent years, and is now a healthy, growing company after the crisis. SWISS has achieved this above all through a committed, open and innovative team that proudly upholds Swissness. This Swissness is a valuable asset that makes SWISS unique. It will be my job to ensure that this value is maintained and preserved. I am particularly looking forward to becoming part of this team.”
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Jens Fehlinger studied aeronautical systems engineering and management in Bremen and transportation in Darmstadt. Additionally, he holds an Executive MBA from the Business School Madrid. Until Fehlinger takes office, Heike Birlenbach, Chief Commercial Officer, will serve as interim CEO. This arrangement ensures continuity in leadership during the transition period.
Q. – Who is Jens Fehlinger?
A. – Jens Fehlinger is the incoming CEO of Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS), starting October 1, 2024.
Q. – What role did Jens Fehlinger play during the COVID-19 pandemic?
A. – He led crisis management and the ReNew restructuring project at the Lufthansa Group.
