Lars Winkelbauer
Dramatic low-orbit night view above Southeast Asia with Bangkok centered
Predictive Intelligence. Human Insight.

Lars Winkelbauer

Twenty years running billion-dollar aviation and logistics operations. Now advising the people who have to make the next decision.

For leaders searching for who Lars Winkelbauer is, the short answer is operator first: former Polar Air Cargo COO, DHL Express Asia Pacific aviation leader, airline board member, author, and advisor on predictive intelligence for aviation and logistics.

See where you fit →
01
Twenty years operating aviation and logistics networks at billion-dollar scale — built and led, never recommended from outside.
02
Works with airlines, governments, port authorities, private equity and logistics operators who have a specific problem and a budget.
03
0.7% employee turnover against a 15% industry average, while running a $1.5B P&L across 720 people.
Where do you fit?
Advisory →
For operators who have to fix something specific.
Speaking →
For programmes that need an operator, not a commentator.
Boards →
Governance across four airlines and three continents.
Writing →
The frameworks, in full.
The record.
Lufthansa German Airlines
1999 – 2003
The apprenticeship — Johannesburg, Dubai, Atlanta.
Polar Air Cargo
2003 – 2014
Director to VP. Architected the DHL joint venture. Monthly revenue grew $20.5M to $70M.
DHL Express Asia Pacific
2014 – 2018
VP Aviation. 41 countries, $500M P&L. First A330-200F deployed globally. $72M saved annually.
Polar Air Cargo
2018 – 2021
EVP & COO. $1.5B P&L, 720 people, 0.7% turnover, 52% digital adoption.
German Pacific
2021 – present
Bangkok. Advisory across aviation, logistics, hospitality and infrastructure.
The network was always there. Most people simply cannot see it.
$1.5B
P&L, Polar Air Cargo
2018–2021
41
countries under management
DHL Express Asia Pacific
0.7%
turnover vs. 15% industry avg.
Polar Air Cargo
$72M
saved annually
carrier renegotiation
Run a year of departures and watch capacity destroy itself in real time.
Try the capacity model →
Frequently asked.
What does Lars Winkelbauer do?
He advises airlines, governments and logistics operators on transformation, capacity and network strategy, drawing on 20+ years running billion-dollar operations.
Who does he work with?
Airlines, governments, port authorities, private equity holders and logistics operators with a specific problem and a budget.
Where is he based?
Bangkok, Thailand, advising globally.
Does he still operate, or only advise?
He is a partner at German Pacific and serves on multiple boards; his advisory work is informed by roles he held operationally, not observed from outside.
What is the capacity model?
An interactive tool simulating a year of airline departures to show how unsold capacity destroys value in real time.
How do I start a conversation?
Use the form below, or reach him directly on LinkedIn or by email.
Start a conversation.
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