How did your career in the aviation industry begin?
It was a bit by chance: In 1992, after graduating in law in
In 1996, I moved on to the German engineering group -
As part of my time at
What is the most rewarding aspect of being an airport CEO? On the other hand, what is most difficult?
As an airport CEO, you have the overall responsibility for everything, so you face numerous challenges. You can only cope with sufficient and competent support. Therefore, the HR component is immensely important, but so is the need for good co-executives, and a close cooperation with the board of the airport company.
You also need to be familiar with, and act responsibly for, the country which you are serving - because, in the end, you are in the service of a state; you are managing public infrastructure. An airport has to deliver, has to function reliably and has to provide fair and equal treatment for all users. If you ask me what the most important principle of the
Can you give us an overview of the three most exciting developments currently happening at your airport?
To start with our most pressing problem, we need to restart the flying business as soon as possible - temporarily suspended because of the lockdown due to COVID-19 in
Further developments at
Finally, we have re-tendered our commercial concessions - the food and beverage outlets and retail spaces. While we have received good offers, the lockdown and low expected traffic level for the second half of 2020 makes negotiations with tenants harder these days.
At this moment in time, what do you see as the biggest disruptor to the aviation industry?
I think it is the anxiety and apprehension of many actors after the shock of COVID-19: Passengers may be reluctant to travel, even after the flight bans are lifted, because they are worried for their health or unpleasant restrictions. The airlines may want to reduce risk and, therefore, only slowly provide capacity to the market. I think that all this is counterproductive. The moment the flight bans are lifted, market shares will be re-allocated. The fastest and boldest, I am convinced, will take the biggest share. I believe the old hacking order of airlines may change completely depending on how fast or how slow the different players will act now. It will be exciting to watch this!
In your opinion, how does the aviation industry need to adapt to secure its place in the future?
For the foreseeable future, all players - airlines, airports and passengers - will have to diligently follow stringent health protocols because health and safety are indispensable and cannot be compromised. I can see that the
However, the measures also raise capacity issues because physical distancing rules require more terminal space. With traffic picking up, the airports will have to manage their terminal space very efficiently.
However, I am not worried for the place of aviation in our world. I am more than ever convinced that we have the power, competence and courage to adapt to the health challenge, but also to other prominent challenges, such as to CO2 reduction goals. The demand is there and it will grow again. We shall be prepared to meet it.
What does the future of the aviation industry look like to you?
It looks bright to me! We will get back to old levels and beyond. There is a time after COVID-19. In particular, after we have found the right medication against COVID-19 and, in particular, after we have found a vaccine.
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