Klaus-Michael Kuehne, largest Lufthansa Group shareholder, dies at 89
German logistics entrepreneur Klaus-Michael Kuehne, who built a roughly 20% stake in Lufthansa Group through Kuehne Aviation, has died aged 89.
Klaus-Michael Kuehne, honorary chair of Swiss logistics firm Kuehne + Nagel International and the largest shareholder in Lufthansa Group, has died at the age of 89.
He joined the family logistics business in 1958 and became its chief executive in 1975, then took over as board chair in 1992. At the end of last year he still controlled Kuehne Holding, which owns 55% of Kuehne + Nagel.
Around 2022, as the airline emerged from the Covid-19 pandemic, Kuehne began investing in Lufthansa Group through an entity called Kuehne Aviation. The stake grew in steps, first to about 10%, then 15%. Lufthansa Group now lists Kuehne Aviation's holding at roughly 20%, well ahead of any other investor.
Kuehne + Nagel International chair Joerg Wolle described him as a visionary and an extraordinary personality. Chief executive Stefan Paul said he embodied logistics and global trade like no one else.
Beyond Lufthansa and Kuehne + Nagel, Kuehne's maritime interests included a 30% stake in shipping company Hapag-Lloyd.
Sources
- flightglobal.comLogistics entrepreneur and Lufthansa investor Kuehne passes away