Brussels Airlines Appoints Lorenza Maggio as Chief Executive Officer Effective September 2026 Succeeding Dorothea von Boxberg Under Lufthansa Group Executive Leadership Transition

The Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG has selected Lorenza Maggio to take over as the Chief Executive Officer of Brussels Airlines, effective September 1, 2026, following the departure of Dorothea von Boxberg. Maggio will also represent the Lufthansa Group before the European Commission in Brussels to coordinate European aviation policy.

The Core Transit Update

A major executive transition is underway at Belgium's flag carrier. Lorenza Maggio has been selected by the Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG to lead Brussels Airlines as its next Chief Executive Officer. This high-level appointment remains subject to formal approval by the Board of Directors of SN Airholding, the airline's parent entity.

Maggio will relocate from Rome to Brussels to assume her new responsibilities. She transitions to the Belgian carrier after serving within the integration program at ITA Airways. Her career within the Lufthansa Group also includes managing customer and brand strategy at Eurowings and acting as Managing Director for a subsidiary of the LSG Group.

The leadership change follows the resignation of current CEO Dorothea von Boxberg, who will step down on August 31, 2026, at her own request. Dieter Vranckx, Chairman of the Board of Directors of SN Airholding and Chief Commercial Officer of the Lufthansa Group, acknowledged von Boxberg's service ahead of the hand-off.

The transition is designed to preserve administrative stability while strengthening passenger-focused strategies and regional network development. Maggio's professional background will be applied to a network carrier serving both short-haul European routes and long-haul international corridors.

Beside her commercial duties, Maggio will serve as the Executive Board Representative of the Lufthansa Group to the European Commission. In this capacity, she will lead institutional communications on European aviation regulations, including environmental targets, digital transition policies, and regional airport slot allocations. This dual mandate aligns the airline's operational hub activities with the regulatory framework centered in the European capital.

Transit Schedule & Route Specifications

The transition timeline, Maggio's corporate profile, and the primary operational parameters of the carrier's Brussels hub are detailed in the tables below:

Brussels Airlines Executive Transition Timeline

Transition Parameter	Outgoing Executive	Incoming Executive	Effective Date	Governance Authority
Corporate Leadership	Dorothea von Boxberg	Lorenza Maggio	September 1, 2026	SN Airholding Board of Directors
Institutional Representation	N/A	Executive Board Representative	September 1, 2026	Deutsche Lufthansa AG Executive Board

Lorenza Maggio Professional Experience & Group Integration Profile

Career Phase	Previous Organization / Role	Strategic Area of Focus	Key Operational Accomplishment
Current Assignment	ITA Airways Integration Programme	Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate Alignment	Facilitating Group-level systems and network integration
Brand Strategy	Eurowings	Brand & Customer Service Strategy	Translating identity into digital booking and ancillary services
Service Operations	LSG Group Subsidiary	Service-sector Management, Catering	Managing supply chain operations across the aviation value chain
Institutional Policy	Lufthansa Group Rep. to the EU	Regulatory Liaison, Air Passenger Rights	Managing relations on Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and slots

Brussels Airlines Hub Operational Parameters & Connection Guidelines

Parameter	Parameter Value	Traveler Advisory
Primary Hub	Brussels Airport (BRU)	Check flight terminals for Schengen (T-gates) vs. non-Schengen (B-gates)
Minimum Connection Time (MCT)	40 Minutes (Schengen to Schengen)	Recommended buffer: 75 to 90 minutes for non-Schengen arrivals
Key Strategic Sectors	Europe & Sub-Saharan Africa	Africa remains a high-priority sector with specialized routings
Lufthansa Group Partners	Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa	Rebooking is automated across the unified passenger service system

Traveler Logistics Guide (Information Gain)

Connecting at Brussels Airport (BRU) Hub:
- Terminal Layout: Brussels Airport separates its facilities into Pier A (serving Schengen flights) and Pier B / Pier T (non-Schengen flights). If you are connecting from transatlantic or Sub-Saharan African flights to Schengen destinations, you must clear border control at the terminal transit gates.
- Transit Times: Although the official Minimum Connection Time (MCT) at the Brussels hub is 40 minutes for Schengen-to-Schengen transits, allow at least 75 to 90 minutes for connections involving non-Schengen origins. This buffers against queue delays at passport control.
EU Digital Transit and Biometric Policies:
- Entry-Exit System (EES): Non-EU passengers entering Belgium should prepare for the EES biometric registry. First-time registration requires facial scans and fingerprint scans at designated border kiosks, which can increase passport control processing times during peak arrival hours.
- ETIAS Requirements: Non-EU travelers who do not require a Schengen visa must register for authorization under the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) online at least 96 hours before departure.
Digi Yatra for India Connections:
- Indian Airport Transit: Passengers connecting through Brussels to or from major cities in India (such as Delhi or Mumbai) can use the Digi Yatra digital biometric ID app to bypass long boarding gate queues. Register your passport and biometric credentials on the app before arriving at the airport to expedite security procedures.
Booking and Ticketing Continuity:
- Codeshare Protection: Because Brussels Airlines operates as a fully integrated member of the Lufthansa Group, codeshare ticket holders (booked via Lufthansa, Swiss, or Austrian Airlines) are protected under standardized group policies. If operational disruptions occur during this leadership change, passenger itineraries will be rebooked automatically.

Infrastructure Impact Assessment

The executive transition takes place as European aviation policy undergoes significant reforms. Working in cooperation with the European Commission, the incoming leadership must manage the commercial implementation of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) mandates and carbon offset rules. Maggio's experience with the ITA Airways integration will assist in maintaining structural alignment across the Lufthansa Group's multi-hub network.

From an infrastructure perspective, the airline's specialized routes to Sub-Saharan Africa and capital-to-capital European routes remain vital. Maintaining steady passenger flows through Brussels Airport ensures that regional tourism and business travel links remain uninterrupted. Maggio's background in customer strategy is expected to influence service delivery, onboard digital platforms, and loyalty benefits over the coming quarters.

Day-to-day flight operations, schedules, and ticketing terms remain unaffected by this corporate leadership transition. Passengers holding valid bookings can proceed with their travel plans according to their ticketed itineraries.

FAQ: Brussels Airlines Leadership Change 2026

Who is the incoming Chief Executive Officer of Brussels Airlines?
Lorenza Maggio has been selected as the new Chief Executive Officer, transitioning from her role in the Lufthansa Group's integration program at ITA Airways.

When will the leadership change at Brussels Airlines take effect?
The transition is scheduled for September 1, 2026, following the departure of the current CEO, Dorothea von Boxberg, on August 31, 2026.

Will the CEO change affect booked passenger flights or schedules?
No. The leadership transition is a corporate administrative change and will not cause flight cancellations, scheduling modifications, or ticketing adjustments.