Former CEO of SunExpress to succeed Jens Bischof and take over as Chairman of the Executive Board on 1 February 2026

COLOGNE/BONN, 11 December 2025. Passing the baton at Germany’s largest leisure airline: Max Kownatzki, CEO of SunExpress for almost six years, will take over as Chairman of the Executive Board of Eurowings on 1 February 2026. He succeeds Jens Bischof, who is stepping down from the position of Chief Executive Officer at the end of the year after more than five years at the helm of Eurowings and over 35 years in leading roles within the Lufthansa Group.

Under the leadership of Jens Bischof, who took over at Eurowings in March 2020 in the midst of the global coronavirus crisis, the airline achieved a remarkable and sustainable turnaround. The previously loss-making company developed into one of the most successful airlines within the Lufthansa Group. This year, Eurowings was named “Best Low-Cost Airline in Europe” by the prestigious rating agency Skytrax.

“Jens Bischof guided Eurowings through one of the most difficult phases in aviation with impressive passion, courage and a clear customer focus. He not only stabilized the airline, but also redefined its identity as a strong, reliable and popular value airline for Europe. His work has left its mark – on our guests, our employees and the entire Lufthansa Group,” emphasizes Michael Niggemann, Member of the Executive Board of the Lufthansa Group. “Thanks to his quality and service offensive, Eurowings is now a brand that inspires confidence and enthusiasm among customers and employees alike. For this, he deserves our utmost respect and deepest gratitude.”

Bischof and Kownatzki with impressive track record

Bischof’s successor, Max Kownatzki, also has an impressive track record. The 53-year-old led the German-Turkish airline SunExpress – a joint venture between the Lufthansa Group and Turkish Airlines – out of the coronavirus crisis as CEO and steered the airline to record results. Last year, SunExpress increased its revenue by 23 percent to €2.2 billion and carried around 15 million passengers – more than ever before in the company’s history.

“With Max Kownatzki, Eurowings is gaining a leader who combines strategic vision, operational excellence and a great passion for the world of flying. He understands the dynamics of the international airline business like few others – and he understands Eurowings,” Niggemann continued. “I am convinced that he will not only continue Eurowings’ successful course, but also boldly develop it further. His energy, expertise and focus on the future will take Eurowings to the next level.”

Eurowings is familiar territory for Max Kownatzki: he was co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Eurowings Europe flight operations back in 2015. He was later responsible for business development at Eurowings as Senior Vice President. He began his career in 2002 at the strategy consultancy Oliver Wyman, where he worked as a senior partner until 2013, advising international airlines with a focus on alliances and commercial issues. He then worked as Chief Strategy Officer for the Jetstar Group, a subsidiary of Qantas Airways, before taking over network planning and strategic alliances for the Lufthansa Group’s hub airlines in 2017 and becoming a member of the Supervisory Board of Air Dolomiti. He has been CEO of SunExpress since April 2020.

Kownatzki studied business administration in St. Gallen, where he also obtained his doctorate, and holds a commercial pilot’s license.