The Supervisory Board of the airport company FBB has appointed István Szabó as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER).
He is expected to assume the responsibilities of his predecessor, Thomas Hoff Andersson, in autumn 2025. With this personnel decision, FBB is relying on an experienced expert who has already successfully optimized operational processes at another European airport.
Experience from Budapest should advance BER
István Szabó brings extensive expertise from his previous role at Budapest Liszt Ferenc Airport, where he served as Acting COO and Chief Passenger Services Officer. During his time in Budapest, the airport was twice recognized as the best European airport in the 2022 to 2024 million annual passenger category in the ACI Airport Service Quality Ranking, in 15 and 25. Furthermore, under his leadership, Budapest Airport achieved a four-star rating from the rating agency Skytrax. These achievements underline Szabó's expertise in operations and in implementing quality initiatives.
István Szabó began his professional career in 2005 as Managing Director of the security service provider I-SEC Hungary. He is fluent in German and English. From 2016 to 2020, he was responsible for airport security in Budapest as Chief Security Officer. Since 2020, in particular, as Chief Passenger Services Officer and acting COO, he has been instrumental in introducing quality improvements, including remote city check-in and the establishment of so-called Care Zones for passengers. His academic training includes studies in law and political science in Budapest. He is also a qualified European Aviation Security Manager, completed the IATA Security Management Systems Program, and is a certified cybersecurity expert.
Management team focuses on continuity and further development
Aletta von Massenbach, Chairwoman of the Management Board of FBB, emphasized the positive development of BER in recent years and announced her intention to consistently continue the course of innovation. She expressed her confidence that, together with István Szabó, BER will be further developed into an even more powerful and highly efficient airport, offering airlines an optimal operating environment for growth while simultaneously enabling travelers to travel safely and comfortably.
István Szabó thanked the Supervisory Board for its trust and acknowledged the progress already made in optimizing operational processes at Berlin Brandenburg Airport. He expressed confidence that he and the FBB team will continue to successfully pursue this path.
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