Star Alliance, the largest global airline alliance, has announced Theo Panagiotoulias as its next CEO. Panagiotoulias’ appointment is expected to take effect within the coming months. He succeeds Charlotta Wieland, who had been nominated by Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) to serve as Star Alliance’s interim CEO since January 2023.
Scott Kirby, CEO, United Airlines and Chairman, Star Alliance Chief Executive Board, said Panagiotoulias’ international commercial and airline experience gives him a good understanding of the industry's challenges and opportunities today.
Panagiotoulias joins Star Alliance from Hawaiian Airlines, where he had been Senior VP for Global Sales and Alliances since 2014. He was previously VP and GM (Asia Pacific) at travel technology provider Sabre Corporation, in addition to an earlier 15-year stint with American Airlines, where he held several commercial, operational, and management positions.
Wieland will now return to SAS and rejoin Star Alliance’s Alliance Management Board as the representative for SAS.