Virgin Atlantic’s Chief Executive, Shai Weiss, is set to depart the airline at the end of the year after a seven-year tenure. He will be succeeded by Corneel Koster, who will assume the role of CEO from January 1, 2026. Koster, currently a Board Member and Chief Customer and Operating Officer, has been instrumental in key airline developments.
Key Takeaways
- Shai Weiss will step down as CEO of Virgin Atlantic at the end of 2025.
- Corneel Koster will become the new CEO starting January 1, 2026.
- Weiss is credited with steering the airline through the Covid-19 pandemic and achieving record performance in 2024.
- Koster has a strong background in customer experience and operations within Virgin Atlantic and other airlines.
A New Chapter for Virgin Atlantic
Shai Weiss, who joined Virgin Atlantic in 2014 and became CEO in January 2019, will conclude his seven-year leadership at the close of 2025. During his tenure, Weiss navigated the airline through the unprecedented challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, oversaw a significant transformation, and delivered record performance in 2024. His earlier roles at the airline included Chief Financial Officer and Chief Commercial Officer.
Sir Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Atlantic, expressed his gratitude to Weiss for his
Sources
- New CEO for Virgin Atlantic, The Business Travel Magazine.
