Edelweiss Air is set for a major leadership transition as long-time CEO Bernd Bauer prepares to vacate his position after twelve years at the helm. According to AeroTime, the Swiss leisure airline has appointed Edi Wolfensberger, the current Chief Operating Officer of Eurowings, to take over the top executive role starting October 1, 2026.

Wolfensberger, a 45-year-old Swiss national, brings a wealth of industry experience to the position. His career in aviation began in 2008 with SWISS, and he previously held the role of Managing Director at Lufthansa Aviation Training Switzerland. Reflecting on his appointment, Wolfensberger noted that he looks forward to continuing the growth trajectory established under Bauer, who transformed the carrier from a smaller operation into a prominent premium holiday airline. During Bauer’s tenure, the company’s reach expanded significantly, growing from roughly 40 destinations to over 100, while the workforce nearly tripled to 1,700 employees.

Bernd Bauer concludes an impactful career that began in 1994 with Crossair. Before leading Edelweiss in 2014, he held various management roles within the SWISS organization and also served as the CEO of Discover Airlines between 2022 and 2025. Lufthansa Group Chief Commercial Officer Dieter Vranckx praised Bauer for his contributions to the group, noting his instrumental role in advancing the leisure travel sector. As the transition approaches, stakeholders are looking toward Wolfensberger to maintain the airline's competitive position within the broader Lufthansa Group portfolio.