How did you get into business aviation?

I joined in 2006 through DaimlerChrysler AG, where I started in the Mergers & Acquisitions department after completing my studies in International Economics at universities in Germany and in Paris, France. One of the projects was the sale of DaimlerChrysler Aviation GmbH, the company's flight department.

I can still remember the first time I walked into the DC Aviation hangar and was immediately enthusiastic about the firm and its aircraft.

In 2007, I started working for DaimlerChrysler Aviation, where I have held various positions and have now been appointed MD together with Marc Ambrosius since August 1st, 2024.

What did you want to be growing up?

As a child, I wanted to be a journalist. I used to be rather afraid of flying and had not initially considered working in an aviation-related field. But after seeing the first business jet in the hangar of the former DaimlerChrysler Aviation, my fascination with business aviation was immediately sparked – and has never left me since. (Luckily, my fear of flying has).

What advice would you give to your younger self and would you have taken it?

Always stay true to yourself and face your challenges to grow from them. And if you do something with joy and passion, then it will turn out well. It may sound a bit clichéd, but that's exactly what I would tell my younger self.

To develop, you also must be willing to take a step into the unknown. Not everything always works out – the important thing is not to give up and to continue your path, becoming richer in experiences and learning from them.

What was your best business decision?

After completing my studies, I wanted to work for a large international corporation – and I really enjoyed working at the former DaimlerChrysler. At the time, it wasn't my plan to switch to what was, in 2007, still a comparatively smaller medium-sized company. But I trusted my positive feelings and the impressions I had from my first contact with the former DaimlerChrysler Aviation, and I decided to make the switch, which was the best business decision for me. To this day, I enjoy being part of the DC Aviation Group and the entire international team and look forward to the group’s further joint development.

What was your worst business decision?

Unfortunately, wrong decisions cannot be avoided completely; they are sometimes part of the process. The point is to learn from the experiences along the way so that the mistakes are not repeated. When I feel challenged, annoyed or stressed, I stay keep a level, start over and keep going. My experience has shown that if you take the time to do the work beforehand and prepare well, the rest is much easier to handle.

Is business aviation in the climb, the cruise or the descent and why?

Following the Covid-19 pandemic, demand for private flights has not only remained stable, but has also proven resilient in the face of economic and geopolitical challenges. This resilience of the business travel sector demonstrates its ability to adapt even in difficult environments and underlines its continued importance and value to business travelers, so an industry in climb.

Furthermore, the awareness of ‘greener’ travel in business aviation is evidence of a trend and significant development in the industry, where environmental awareness is now driving the decisions of travelers and businesses alike. We can see here how the industry is reacting to this by consciously taking on the challenges of the sector in terms of sustainability and innovation, from new aircraft technologies to environmentally friendly processes, such as the challenge of sustainable fuel.

How do you relax?

It is important to have a counterbalance to clear your mind and get new perspectives and inspiration. That's why I appreciate the time with my family and friends, just being together and spending time or traveling together. When I have some time to myself, I like to sit down at the piano and play just for myself or read a book.