Thoralf Wagner named new Head of Technical Division at SWISS

Thoralf Wagner will become SWISS’s new Head of Technical Fleet Management as of 1 June 2026. In his new function, Wagner will be responsible for the technical oversight of the SWISS fleet, including its maintenance, technical development and the compliance with all aviation regulatory requirements. He succeeds Claus Bauer, who has taken up a new position within the Lufthansa Group.

Effective Date:
1 June 2026

Role:
Head of Technical Fleet Management, overseeing maintenance, technical development, and regulatory compliance for the SWISS fleet.

Team Size:
Around 1,000 employees in the technical division.

Background:
- CEO of Lufthansa Technik Budapest since 2021, managing 400+ staff and maintenance for Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 fleets.
- Previously held senior roles at Lufthansa Technik, including logistics and transformation programs.

Education:
Studied Transport Engineering (Aviation focus) at Technical University of Dresden; early career experience with SWISS and Crossair.

Quote from Oliver Buchhofer (COO, SWISS):
Wagner’s expertise in aircraft maintenance and international networks will strengthen fleet reliability and modernization.

Context:
He succeeds Claus Bauer, who moved to another role within Lufthansa Group.

SWISS emphasized that its technical division is the backbone of stable flight operations and highlighted Wagner’s leadership as key to upcoming modernization programs.