Flughafen München (Munich Airport) has announced President & CEO Dr. Michael Kerkloh will retire next year.

Kerkloh will have held the post for more than 17 years when he stands down on 31 December 2019. His second term as President of ACI Europe is due to end in June.

Munich Airport has begun the search for his successor as President & CEO using an executive recruitment consultancy.

Munich Airport Supervisory Board Chairman and Minister of State Albert Füracker commented: “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.”

KEY LEGACY

Kerkloh began his career at Frankfurt Airport in 1987 before joining Hamburg Airport in 1995 where he served as CEO for seven years.

Upon taking office at Munich Airport in 2002, he quickly established a reputation as a highly regarded aviation expert known for his strategic and innovative approach to competitive airport management.

As a result, the Bavarian hub has cemented its place inside Europe’s leading air transport centres for traffic and commercial growth.

Under his leadership, it has consistently ranked highly in the Skytrax World Airport Awards, having been selected ‘Best Airport in Europe’ 11 times.

Alongside the expansion and upgrade of Terminal 1, the opening of Terminal 2 in 2003 and the Satellite Terminal in 2016 – the last of which added 7,000sq m of retail and F&B to the then 16,400sq m of space existing at Terminal 2 – Kerkloh secured Munich ‘Five-star Airport’ status in 2015. It remains the sole airport in Europe to earn the title.

On the international stage, he has served as a member of the board for Airports Council International (ACI) Europe and was elected its President in 2017.

He is also a member of the executive committee of the German Aviation Industry Association and President of the Export-Club Bayern eV.

Originally form Ahlen in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Kerkloh holds a doctorate in economics.