IAG Appoints Heiko Heidusch SVP for Strategic Airline Partnerships

Aer Lingus and British Airways owner International Airlines Group (IAG) has appointed Heiko Heidusch as Senior Vice President, Strategic Airline Partnerships, to lead group-wide strategic partnerships – a sure sign the group is eyeballing further acquisitions.

IAG owns Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, Vueling and LEVEL. It has persistently been linked with a move for TAP Air Portugal.

His focus will be on further developing the group’s strategic airline partnerships and the oneworld alliance, working closely with IAG’s operating companies and alongside joint business partners and fellow oneworld alliance members.

Mr Heidusch joined Lufthansa Group in 2003 and has carried out various senior roles over the last two decades, most recently as Head of Airline Cooperation, a position he held since 2016. In this role he was responsible for all strategic, commercial and operational aspects of coordinating partner airlines.

Julio Rodriguez, IAG’s Chief Commercial Strategy Officer, said: “As we continue to deliver our strategy, airline partnerships provide an asset-light opportunity to access a larger global customer base and reward customers with a greater choice of destinations covered by our airline partners. Heiko’s extensive experience in airline partnerships will be a real asset and will allow us to create even more value, both for our airlines and our partners.”

Heiko Heidusch, said: “It’s a privilege to join IAG at such a significant moment and I’m looking forward to working closely with colleagues from across the businesses to define, develop and implement long-term partnerships that drive further growth and add value for our airlines and customers.”