Carsten Spohr manages the Lufthansa Group from the cockpit as well as the boardroom, maintaining a commercial pilot's license that qualifies him to operate an Airbus A320. Since May 2014, he has directed the company as chairman and chief executive officer, navigating the airline through significant periods of industrial unrest, global health crises, and restructuring initiatives.
Academic and Technical Foundation
Born in 1966 in Wanne-Eickel, Germany, Spohr pursued studies in industrial engineering and management at the University of Karlsruhe, which is now the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. Following his graduation, he refined his aviation technical skills through training programs at the Airline Training Center Arizona and Lufthansa Flight Training in Bremen. Before establishing his executive career, he served as a military flight engineer.
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Spohr entered the workforce at Deutsche Aerospace AG before joining Lufthansa in 1994. Between 1995 and 1998, he operated as the personal assistant to the company's chief executive. His responsibilities expanded into regional partner management and the oversight of passenger airline strategy. By 2007, he led Lufthansa Cargo, subsequently joining the executive board in 2011. He succeeded Christoph Franz as CEO on 1 May 2014.
Strategic Leadership Challenges
His tenure has involved managing intense industrial relations and strike actions sparked by the expansion of the Germanwings low-cost division. He described the Germanwings Flight 9525 disaster as the most difficult moment in the company's six-decade history. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he oversaw a major government bailout that resulted in the state acquiring a 20 percent stake. His contract was extended for five-year terms in 2019 and 2023.
Political and Corporate Engagement
Spohr has frequently represented the German industrial sector in high-level diplomatic and political meetings. He accompanied Chancellor Angela Merkel on state visits to China in 2014 and Abu Dhabi in 2017. Additionally, he participated in meetings with U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House and during the 2016 Hannover Messe. His corporate influence extends to supervisory and advisory roles at Munich Re, Lufthansa Technik, ThyssenKrupp, and the Oetker Group.
Fast facts
- Born: 1966, Wanne-Eickel
- Education: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
- Appointed CEO: 1 May 2014
- Professional License: Commercial Pilot (Airbus A320)
- Residence: Munich
- 2015 Compensation: Approximately 2.7 million Euro
Questions readers ask
Does Carsten Spohr still fly aircraft?
Yes, he maintains a valid commercial pilot's license that allows him to fly the Airbus A320.
What major roles has he held outside of Lufthansa?
He has served on the supervisory or advisory boards of companies including Munich Re, ThyssenKrupp, Lufthansa Technik, and the Oetker Group.
Achievements
- Affiliated with Lufthansa Group and Lufthansa
- Educated at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
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