Judges have unanimously voted Anko van der Werff, President & CEO of Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), as the recipient of the Danish Aviation Award (Luftfartsprisen) 2025. He has been recognised for his outstanding leadership in steering SAS through one of the most challenging financial periods in the airline’s history and positioning the company for long-term growth.
Who is Anko van der Werff?
In their motivation, the judges emphasised SAS’s role in Denmark and Danish aviation. The airline supports thousands of jobs nationwide and serves as a gateway to the world of business and industry.
The judges also emphasise van der Werff’s leadership in completing restructuring, restoring profitability, and strengthening SAS’s network by joining the global airline alliance, SkyTeam. They also credit van der Werff with expanding SAS’s intercontinental services from its global hub in Copenhagen, investing in a modern fleet, achieving world-class punctuality, and taking a role in shaping a more sustainable aviation industry.
So who exactly is der Werff? Anko van der Werff (born 1975) became the CEO of Scandinavian Airlines in 2021, succeeding Rickard Gustafsson. He has worked at many airlines, including KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Qatar Airways, Aeroméxico and Avianca Group.
Anko van der Werff, President & CEO of SAS, said about the award:
“This award is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and resilience of the entire SAS team. Together, we have taken SAS through an extraordinary transformation, securing our future and building the foundation for long-term growth. I am very proud of what we have achieved so far and more determined than ever to seize the opportunities ahead, further strengthen our network, and deliver an exceptional experience for every SAS customer.”
About the award
The Luftfartsprisen (the Dannish Aviation awards) honour individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the aviation industry in Demark, Greenland or the Faroe Islands. The award is presented annually in connection with the Danish Travel Awards. The judges consisted of leading representatives from the Danish aviation and transport sector.
This year’s judges were: Mathias Milling, (Head of Secretariat at Danish Aviation Association, DI Transport), Jesper Kronborg, (Director at Danish Chamber of Commerce), Morten Balk (a Board Member of the Board of Airlines Representatives in Denmark), Dan Banja, (the Secretary General of Danish Aviation Association) and Ole Kirchert Christensen (the Editor-in-Chief of CHECK-IN.dk).
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