Michael Delehant

(President) Group Managing Director @ Wizz Air

About

Senior airline executive with over 20 years of experience focused on low-cost airline operations, strategy, design, transformation, business planning, and execution. Demonstrated expertise in strategy & network development, business model design and transformation, multi-horizon business & financial planning, delivery of large-scale change (including M&A), and complex problem solving. Demonstrated ability to translate strategy and theoretical design concepts into operations and results. Additional expertise in digital & technology, data sciences & analytics, and continuous improvement. Seasoned leader with proven ability to select, manage, motivate, and develop top talent.

Country

Hungary

City

Budapest

Industry

Airlines/Aviation

Skill

Process Improvement, Integration, Aviation, Program Management, Airlines, Business Process Improvement, Project Portfolio Management, Business Analysis, Vendor Management, Strategic Planning, Project Management, Business Intelligence, Business Development, Management Consulting, Strategy, Change Management, Cross-functional Team Leadership, Leadership, Performance Management, Management

Experience

(President) Group Managing Director

Wizz Air

2024-10 - Present · 2 yrs

Budapest, Hungary

Senior Chief Executive responsible for all aspects of Commercial and Operations business for the Wizz Air Group (which includes 4 AOCs). Report to the CEO and lead the CCO, COO, 7 Officers, and 9,000+ employees. Additionally serve as the Chairman of the Management Board of Directors for Wizz Air Hungary and Wizz Air Malta.

EVP & Group Chief Operations Officer

Wizz Air

2021-4 - 2024-9 · 3 yrs 6 mos

Budapest, Hungary

Served as a member of the Wizz Air Senior Management team responsible for all aspects of Group airline safety, regulatory compliance, and operations with direct operating leadership of the 4 group airlines and the central operations services division. Manage a growing fleet of 200+ aircraft. People Management responsibility of 8,000+ employees and 5 officers. Additionally served as a member of the Board of Directors of each Group Airline.

Chief Strategy & Network Officer

Vueling Airlines

2016-11 - 2021-3 · 4 yrs 5 mos

Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Served as a member of the Vueling Senior Management Committee reporting to the CEO. Responsible for leading the company’s turnaround following its 2016 summer operating crisis and led the airline’s initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vice President, Corporate Strategy

Southwest Airlines

2012 - 2016 · 4 yrs

Dallas/Fort Worth Area

Served on the company’s Senior Management Committee as the responsible executive of strategy, transformation, and integrated business planning. Over 14-year career, served in increasingly senior roles beginning in Technology & PMO, and later transitioning into Strategy, Transformation & Planning reporting the EVP & CFO. Responsible for designing and developing Southwest’s initial Strategic Planning organization in 2007 and subsequent growth strategy including the acquisition and integration of AirTran Airways.