Star Alliance, the world’s largest global airline alliance, has announced that Theo Panagiotoulias has been selected as its next CEO. With over 25 years of experience in the airline and aviation industry, Panagiotoulias brings a wealth of international expertise to his new role. He joins Star Alliance from Hawaiian Airlines, where he served as Senior VP for Global Sales and Alliances since 2014. Prior to that, he held various positions at American Airlines and was VP and GM (Asia Pacific) at travel technology provider Sabre Corporation. Panagiotoulias’ extensive background makes him well-equipped to address the challenges and opportunities faced by the industry.
Expressing his enthusiasm for his new role, Panagiotoulias highlighted the significance of Star Alliance’s global reach and seamless passenger experience. He acknowledged the alliance’s role in connecting over 200 million customers annually through its 26 member airlines, operating more than 16,000 flights daily. Panagiotoulias sees his appointment as an opportunity to work closely with the member carriers and continue to innovate as the world’s leading airline alliance.