Krahmer leaves EBAA as Benz made interim MD

Holger Krahmer has stepped down as Secretary General of the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) with Stefan Benz appointed interim managing director.

Krahmer joined the association from Mercedes-Benz Group in October 2023 where he headed up the company’s presence in Brussels. He also previously served as a member of European parliament from 2004 to 2014. 

Robert Baltus has already resigned as chief operating officer and will leave the association later this year to join Zeusch Aviation, a special operations operator. 

“The EBAA is a stronger association when working in harmony with its members and collaboratively with the national associations,” said Benz in a statement. “ We must remember that our purpose is to protect and grow our industry, a passion that we all share as we move forward.”

Benz joins from his own consultancy. He spent more than 10 years in senior roles at Jet Aviation and also worked at Luxaviation, RUAG Aerospace and MTU Aero Engines. He has also served on EBAA’s board of governors.  

“We thank Holger for his contribution. We also thank Robert for his long service and continued commitment during the transition,”  said Juergen Wiese, chairman of the EBAA Board of governors. “The association retains an excellent team. With Stefan’s appointment, we will marshal to deliver the next chapter of our journey. This will be done at pace and with the full support of the board.”

EBAA says that Benz will lead an organisational change programme. “This programme will bring a leaner, more agile association closer to its members’ and its national associations’ partners. This is necessary during a period where several existential threats are emerging in regulation, resource availability, environmental policy, taxation and access to airspace and airports,” said EBAA in a statement.

The association says that his priorities are to: “create a stronger association attuned to the challenges of its members; enhance the value proposition of the EBAA’s remit to protect the license to operate of its members, foster collaboration and drive initiatives that strengthen the industry’s collective voice and impact; implement the new membership fee structure in January ’26 and ensure EBACE remains Europe’s premier, business aviation event.” Read our recent CJIQ interview with Krahmer here.