The operator who became a strategist.
Lars Winkelbauer is a German aviation and logistics executive, board advisor, author and founder based in Bangkok, Thailand, whose work connects air cargo operations, predictive intelligence, market signals and executive decision-making. He was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Polar Air Cargo, with full P&L responsibility for a $1.5 billion joint venture, and Vice President of Aviation for DHL Express Asia Pacific across 41 countries. He deployed the first A330-200F converted freighter globally, saved $72 million annually through carrier renegotiation, and led an organisation to 0.7% turnover against a 15% industry average. He serves on four airline boards across three continents and is the author of The Invisible Highway.
The four acts.
Foundation
1999 – 2003
Lufthansa German Airlines and Cargo. Johannesburg, Dubai, Atlanta — the apprenticeship across three continents.
“You learn a network by moving through it, not by reading about it.”
Builder
2003 – 2014
Polar Air Cargo, Long Beach and New York. Four promotions, Director to VP. Architected the DHL joint venture that led to DHL acquiring 49% of the parent company. Monthly revenue grew $20.5M to $70M, 98% on-time performance, eight new markets across three continents, and a Department of Defense small-package business at $90 million annually.
“Growth is a discipline before it is a result.”
Read: Capacity Is the New Currency →
Transformation Leader
2014 – 2021
DHL Express Asia Pacific, then Polar Air Cargo. Hong Kong and New York. 41 countries, $500M P&L, over $1 billion operating budget, first A330-200F deployed globally, $72M saved. Then $1.5B P&L, 720 people, 0.7% turnover, 52% digital adoption, 97.1% compliance.
“Capacity is the one resource you cannot get back once it’s gone.”
Read: Foresight Over Reaction →
Advisor
2021 – present
Bangkok. German Pacific. An all-cargo airline launched from scratch in Vietnam, a ten-year plan for a legacy airline’s cargo division, and autonomous aviation regulatory advisory across Asia Pacific.
“The network was always there. Most people simply cannot see it.”
Read: Convergent Technologies →
Board service.
Four airline boards across three continents, plus humanitarian logistics governance with AirLink.
See the full record →
Credentials.
MBA International Management, Long Island University. BBA International Business and Marketing, Loyola University New Orleans. Native German, fluent English. Private Pilot licence, fixed-wing. Based in Bangkok, Thailand.
Current work.
Lars is a partner at German Pacific, advising across aviation, logistics, infrastructure and market intelligence from Bangkok. Explore his aviation advisory work, keynotes, and predictive intelligence writing. He is also founder and CEO of Lima Xi, a separate venture.
Frequently asked.
What is Lars Winkelbauer’s background?
Twenty years running billion-dollar aviation and logistics operations, starting at Lufthansa and culminating as EVP and COO of Polar Air Cargo.
Where did he work before?
Lufthansa German Airlines and Cargo, Polar Air Cargo, and DHL Express Asia Pacific.
What is German Pacific?
The advisory partnership through which Lars currently works, based in Bangkok.
Where is he based?
Bangkok, Thailand.