Finance

Virgin Atlantic names Koster as new CEO as Weiss to step down

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on October 13, 2025

2 min read

· Last updated: January 21, 2026

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Virgin Atlantic names Koster as new CEO as Weiss to step down
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LONDON (Reuters) -Virgin Atlantic named Corneel Koster as its new chief executive on Monday, promoting the current chief operating officer to the top job from January 1 2026 when incumbent Shai Weiss

Corneel Koster Appointed New CEO of Virgin Atlantic as Shai Weiss Departs

Leadership Changes at Virgin Atlantic

LONDON (Reuters) -Virgin Atlantic named Corneel Koster as its new chief executive on Monday, promoting the current chief operating officer to the top job from next January as incumbent Shai Weiss will step down after seven years at the helm of the UK airline.

Profile of Corneel Koster

The company said Weiss had decided to step down but did not give a reason.

Shai Weiss's Tenure and Departure

Koster rejoined Virgin Atlantic as chief commercial officer in 2019 after a stint with Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico. He had served as Virgin Atlantic's director of operations and security between 2010 and 2013.

"It's an incredible privilege to take up the role of CEO," Koster said in a statement.

Koster will become CEO on January 1, 2026.

Weiss, who will leave the company, has worked in the broader Virgin group since 2001, when he joined as a managing director for Virgin Media, according to his LinkedIn account. Before taking over as CEO of Virgin Atlantic in 2019, Weiss served as Virgin Atlantic's chief financial officer, then the chief commercial officer.

(Reporting by Sarah Young and Joanna Plucinska; Editing by Catarina Demony and Susan Fenton)

Key Takeaways

  • Corneel Koster appointed as Virgin Atlantic's new CEO.
  • Shai Weiss steps down after seven years as CEO.
  • Koster will assume the role on January 1, 2026.
  • Weiss has been with the Virgin group since 2001.
  • Koster previously served as COO and CCO at Virgin Atlantic.

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What is leadership in a corporate context?
Leadership in a corporate context involves guiding and influencing employees to achieve organizational goals, fostering a positive work environment, and making strategic decisions that align with the company's vision.

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