Turkish airline SunExpress announced that Helmut Wölfel will be stepping in as its new commercial director beginning 16 September.

Wölfel succeeds Peter Glade who leaves the airline next month after a successful eight-year tenure.

SunExpress CEO Max Kownatzki said of Wölfel: “I am delighted to welcome [him as he] brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in various commercial roles within the airline industry, particularly in the leisure travel segment. We are looking forward to Wölfel playing a pivotal role in shaping the company’s future growth.”  

Banking on experience

In his new role, Wölfel will be responsible for driving the company’s commercial strategy, with a focus on expanding the airline’s network, increasing customer satisfaction and integrating cutting-edge technologies to enable faster, more efficient services.  

Wölfel holds over 25 years of experience in the aviation industry. Since 2021, he has worked as chief commercial officer at Discover Airlines. Prior to this, he also held various management positions within the Lufthansa Group including head of controlling HR and IT, vice-president for intercontinental network planning, as well as vice-president of the airline’s commercial hub in Munich.