Munich Airport has announced that Dr Michael Kerkloh will step down as the president and CEO of Flughafen München GmbH (FMG) on December 31, 2019, after 17 years in the role.
Over his airport management career, Kerkloh came to be seen as one of the most experienced and respected experts in the industry, both in Germany and at the international level. Under his leadership, Bavaria’s gateway to the world has taken its place alongside Europe’s top-performing air transportation hubs – both in terms of traffic growth and commercial success. Major milestones in the Kerkloh years include the opening of Terminal 2 in 2003, the commissioning of the satellite terminal in 2016, and the decision to expand and upgrade Terminal 1.
Under Kerkloh’s leadership, Munich Airport has consistently ranked high in the Skytrax World Airport Awards, announced annually at Passenger Terminal Expo and has been awarded the title of Best Airport in Europe 11 times. Moreover, Munich was granted ‘five-star airport’ status in 2015 and is still the only airport in Europe to have earned that title.
FMG supervisory board chairman, Minister of State Albert Füracker, said, “During his time as CEO, Dr Kerkloh has rendered outstanding service to Munich Airport and to Bavaria’s competitiveness in the world of aviation. The house he will leave behind in 12 months is in excellent order. For his hard work and achievements, I wish to express my sincere thanks.”
The FMG Supervisory Board has begun the search for a suitable successor with the support of an executive recruitment consultancy.