Martin Gauss is a seasoned aviation leader with over three decades of experience in European and international aviation. He is best known for his role as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Executive Board at airBaltic, where he transformed the airline into a profitable and innovative carrier through fleet modernization, digital innovation, and strategic partnerships with major global airlines. Under his leadership, airBaltic became the first European airline to introduce free high-speed Wi-Fi using Starlink, while successfully navigating challenges such as COVID-19 and global engine shortages.

Before joining airBaltic, Martin held several senior leadership positions, including CEO of Malev Hungarian Airlines, CEO of Cirrus Airlines, Managing Director of dba, and Director of Flight Operations at Deutsche British Airways.

He also founded and successfully built MAGAU, an investment company with a diversified portfolio, including strategic investments in the aviation sector. Through MAGAU, Martin expanded his entrepreneurial expertise beyond airline management into corporate investment and innovation-driven growth.

Martin Gauss holds a Captain’s Airline Transport Pilot License and is currently type rated on the Airbus A220, with more than 8,000 flight hours on commercial jet aircraft. He also completed intensive management training at British Airways, enhancing his leadership and operational expertise. His unique combination of experience as both a pilot and executive enables him to connect operational excellence with high-level strategic decision-making.

Today, Martin serves as a Senior Advisor and Investor, leveraging his proven track record in aviation leadership, crisis management, and public–private sector collaboration. He is widely recognized for his customer-focused leadership, having successfully expanded loyalty programs and codeshare partnerships with major airlines such as Lufthansa, British Airways, Emirates, Air France, KLM, and SAS.

With deep operational insight, governance experience, and a broad international network, Martin Gauss is ideally positioned to lead strategic transformations, align government ownership with commercial success, and drive sustainable growth in competitive aviation markets.