Star Alliance, global airline alliance, announced that Theo Panagiotoulias has been chosen to become its next Chief Executive Officer.
Mr. Panagiotoulias has more than 25 years’ international experience in the airline and aviation industry. He joins Star Alliance from Hawaiian Airlines, where he had been Senior VP for Global Sales and Alliances since 2014. Previously, Mr. Panagiotoulias was VP and GM (Asia Pacific) at travel technology provider Sabre Corporation, as well as a 15-year veteran of American Airlines, where he held several commercial, operational and management positions. Prior to that, he was Sabre Corp’s vice president and general manager for the Asia Pacific region. Earlier in his career, Mr. Panagiotoulias also spent 15 years at American Airlines, where he held various leadership, commercial, operational and general management positions.
Mr. Panagiotoulias will succeed Charlotta Wieland, who has been seconded from SAS – Scandinavian Airlines to serve as Star Alliance’s interim CEO since January 2023. With Mr. Panagiotoulias coming on board, Ms. Wieland will return to SAS, and also rejoin Star Alliance’s Alliance Management Board as the representative for SAS. Mr. Panagiotoulias’ appointment is expected to take effect within the coming months, upon the completion of certain administrative processes and clearances.
Mr. Panagiotoulias graduated from Haileybury College in Melbourne, Australia and completed the Advanced Leadership Program at the University of Cambridge in the UK.
