Jaan Albrech becomes CEO of Saudi Arabian Airlines

Saudi Arabian Airlines has appointed Jaan Albrecht as the Chief Executive Officer of Saudia Air Transport Company (Saudia). Mr. Albrecht will be joining the airline at the beginning of January 2017 reporting directly to the Director General, Engr. Saleh N. Al-Jasser. Mr. Albrecht holds dual Mexican and German citizenships and fluently speaks English and Spanish. He has a career of more than 40 years in the aviation industry. He spent 28 years at Mexicana Airlines, where he held several leadership positions. In 2001, Mr. Albrecht became the Chief Executive Officer of Star Alliance, managing the growth of the alliance from 10 to 27 member airlines in 25 countries. He spent 4 years in Vienna managing a successful turnaround of Austrian Airlines as the Chief Executive Officer thereof. He subsequently moved to become the Chief Executive Officer of SunExpress Turkey and SunExpress Germany, a joint venture low cost leisure carrier of Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa.