Luftfahrt-Gürtel, the head of defense policy and NATO at Deutsche Lufthansa, holds this position.
Maximilian Kiewel, an experienced journalist turned strategic defense leader, now holds the position of Head of Defense Policy & NATO at German Lufthansa. Since taking up his role on June 1, 2022, Kiewel has been instrumental in shaping the defense policy representation at both the national and NATO levels.
As a key figure in the Lufthansa Group, Kiewel's responsibilities extend to overseeing the defense policy representation of the company. This aligns the Lufthansa Group's defense policies with the broader objectives of both the national and NATO defense policies.
In his role, Kiewel collaborates directly with Jan Köerner, Head of Government Affairs Germany, ensuring a seamless approach to defense policy matters. The Lufthansa Group, under Kiewel's leadership, represents defense policy at the national level, contributing significantly to political sovereignty and resilience as a strategic partner of the German Armed Forces within the NATO context.
Kiewel's background includes extensive experience in journalism, having worked as a chief reporter for war and crisis zones, as well as a moderator for "Bild Live". This background has undoubtedly equipped him with the necessary skills to navigate complex defense policy matters with ease.
In addition to his role as Head of Defense Policy & NATO, as of July 1, 2025, Kiewel also took on the position of Manager Political Relations & Negotiations at Lufthansa. In this dual role, he reports to Jan Körner, the Head of the Lufthansa Group's corporate representation, and Jens Krüger, the Head of Politics & Communication at Lufthansa Technik.
One of Kiewel's key responsibilities is to ensure that the Lufthansa Group's defense policy aligns with the objectives of both the national and NATO defense policies. His contributions have been significant since his appointment, making him a pivotal figure in the company's strategic interactions with these entities.
Timo Philipps, the Office Manager in Koblenz, reports to Kiewel in his capacity as Head of Defense Policy & NATO. Under Kiewel's guidance, the Lufthansa Group continues to play a significant role in maintaining political sovereignty and resilience as a strategic partner of the German Armed Forces within the NATO context.
The Lufthansa Group's defense policies, under Kiewel's leadership, are not only aligned with the national defense policies but also with the strategic objectives of NATO, which is evident in his role of managing political relations and negotiations. In the dynamic world of business, politics, and general-news, Kiewel's extensive background in journalism proves instrumental in navigating complex defense policy matters for Lufthansa.
