Matthias Spohr has officially taken the helm as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Eurowings, marking a high-profile return to the airline as he joins the company’s three-person Executive Board. Spohr, who previously served as the Managing Director of Lufthansa Aviation Training GmbH, assumes his new role today, where he will oversee critical operational divisions including Flight Operations, Ground Operations, Crew Training, and Technical Fleet Management.
Spohr joins CEO Max Kownatzki and CFO Kai Duve on the board, succeeding Edi Wolfensberger. Following a successful tenure at Eurowings, Wolfensberger is set to transition to a new leadership challenge as the CEO of Edelweiss, the Swiss leisure airline also operating under the Lufthansa Group umbrella.
For the 56-year-old executive, the appointment represents a homecoming. Spohr is well-acquainted with the intricacies of the Eurowings culture, having previously served as the Head of Flight Operations at Eurowings Germany between 2015 and 2021.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Matthias Spohr back to Eurowings,” said CEO Max Kownatzki. “He knows our company, our flight operations and, most importantly, the people who work with tremendous passion and personal commitment for our guests every single day. Matthias brings not only extensive aviation experience, but also a genuine enthusiasm for Eurowings, innovation, and teamwork. Together, we want to shape the future of Eurowings and open the next chapter in our success story.”
Spohr’s aviation journey is deep-rooted, dating back to 1990 when he began training at Lufthansa’s flight school in Bremen. While awaiting his first posting, he earned a degree in economics from Ruhr University Bochum. His operational background is extensive; he flew Airbus A320 and A340 aircraft for Lufthansa beginning in 1995, served as an A320 captain for Condor Berlin, and joined Germanwings in 2013 to lead their A320 fleet.
His most recent role at Lufthansa Aviation Training (LAT) was marked by significant strategic achievements. Since 2021, Spohr has been instrumental in the restructuring of the European Flight Academy and the development of new business growth strategies. His efforts to modernize pilot training and consolidate business activities through the “Beyond Aviation Training” division solidified LAT’s standing within the broader Lufthansa Group, a track record of operational excellence that the board expects him to translate into immediate value for Eurowings.
As he steps into the COO office, Spohr takes responsibility for a vast portfolio that encompasses the safety, security, and technical efficiency of the entire airline. With his history in flight operations and a clear mandate to drive innovation, his appointment is being viewed as a strategic move to stabilize and elevate Eurowings’ operational performance in an increasingly competitive European aviation market. Spohr, who is married with three children, assumes his duties effective immediately.
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