Lufthansa-Linked Airlines Promote New CEOs from Within Their Ranks
Lufthansa Group has announced significant leadership changes as two of its connected airlines appoint new CEOs from within the company.
On December 11, 2025, Eurowings, a Lufthansa subsidiary, revealed that Max Kownatzki, the current CEO of SunExpress, will take the helm at Eurowings. Kownatzki has successfully led SunExpress for six years.
In turn, SunExpress has tapped Marcus Schnabel, the Head of Ground Operations for Lufthansa Airlines in Munich, to replace Kownatzki as CEO. These transitions come as Jens Bischof, the existing CEO of Eurowings, prepares to step down after more than five years of leadership.
Both Kownatzki and Schnabel will officially take on their new roles on February 1, 2026.
For Kownatzki, moving to Eurowings feels like a natural progression. He previously served as the company’s Chief Commercial Officer and has held positions at the Jetstar Group and on the supervisory board of Air Dolomiti.
Carsten Spohr, Head of Lufthansa Group, praised Kownatzki’s appointment. “With Max Kownatzki, we are gaining a top manager for Eurowings who will continue the company’s successful course,” he stated. Spohr highlighted Kownatzki’s operational excellence and strategic insight as key attributes for his new role.
Regarding Schnabel’s selection for SunExpress, Ahmet Bolat, Chairman of the Board at Turkish Airlines, expressed confidence in his leadership abilities. “I am very pleased that Marcus Schnabel will be taking on the role of CEO at SunExpress. His deep understanding of the company’s mission will be crucial for navigating its next growth phase,” he noted.
The recent changes come with reflections on the tenure of Jens Bischof. Spohr acknowledged Bischof’s significant contributions over his 35 years in senior positions within the Lufthansa Group. “He has transformed Eurowings into Germany’s leading leisure carrier and repositioned it as a robust European airline,” Spohr remarked.
As the Lufthansa Group moves forward with its leadership updates, what developments do you foresee for Eurowings and SunExpress under their new CEOs?
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