SunExpress has appointed Marcus Schnabel as its next Chief Executive Officer, with the leadership change set to take effect on 1 February 2026, the airline announced. Schnabel will succeed Max Kownatzki, who will leave SunExpress to assume the role of Chief Executive Officer of Eurowings, as the leisure carrier prepares for its next phase of growth. Kownatzki will remain in his position until 31 January 2026 to support a structured transition.
The appointment was confirmed by the Board of Directors of SunExpress, a joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa. The airline said the change reflects continuity in strategy following several years of expansion, fleet growth and rising passenger numbers under Kownatzki’s leadership.
Leadership transition at SunExpress
Schnabel joins SunExpress from Lufthansa Group, where he has been responsible for Ground Operations at Lufthansa Airlines’ Munich hub and has served as Deputy Hub Manager Munich since 2024. In that role, he oversaw a turnaround programme at one of Lufthansa’s largest hubs aimed at improving operational performance and customer satisfaction.
The SunExpress board said Schnabel’s operational background and experience within the Lufthansa Group position him to lead the airline as it continues to expand in the competitive leisure travel market. His appointment comes at a time when leisure airlines across Europe are seeking to balance growth with operational reliability and cost control.
Max Kownatzki has served as Chief Executive Officer of SunExpress since 2020, taking on the role at the start of the COVID-19 crisis. During his tenure, the airline reported strong financial performance and sustained growth despite disruptions to global aviation.
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bolat, Chairman of SunExpress’s Board of Directors, said Max Kownatzki, CEO, “assumed a pivotal role at the very onset of the COVID-19 crisis and led SunExpress with a steady hand through one of the most challenging periods our industry has faced.” He added that under Kownatzki’s leadership, the airline achieved “strong financial performance, achieving sustainable growth in a highly competitive environment.”
Bolat said Marcus Schnabel, CEO-designate, brings “a sterling record of leadership and a deep understanding of SunExpress’s mission,” adding that the board has “full confidence that SunExpress will maintain its strong performance in the coming period and strengthen its position as a leading brand in the leisure airline market.”
Track record of growth and expansion
According to the board, SunExpress reached several operational milestones during Kownatzki’s six-year tenure. These included doubling its fleet, achieving record passenger numbers and securing industry recognition as the World’s Best Leisure Airline.
Jens Bischof, Vice Chairman of SunExpress’s Board of Directors, said Max Kownatzki, CEO, “successfully guided SunExpress through numerous challenges and delivered sustainable and profitable record growth.” He said the airline is now “firmly on a growth trajectory with a solid financial foundation.”
Bischof also welcomed Schnabel’s appointment, saying Marcus Schnabel, CEO-designate, has “extensive industry experience and strategic vision” and is well positioned to guide the airline’s continued development in the coming years.
Commenting on his appointment, Schnabel said Marcus Schnabel, CEO-designate, “SunExpress has firmly established itself as a dynamic and resilient airline, consistently delivering sustainable growth in recent years.” He added that he is “truly excited to join this exceptional team and help shape the next chapter of its success.”
Kownatzki said Max Kownatzki, CEO, that leading SunExpress had been “a true privilege,” adding that he has “full confidence in Marcus Schnabel’s leadership to guide SunExpress toward continued success” as the airline enters its next phase.
