Summary

The Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) has appointed Marcel Kägi as the new deputy director of the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA). The political scientist will assume the position on April 1, 2026 and succeeds Mathias Gantenbein. Kägi brings many years of experience in aviation, strategy and international management and will, together with the new director Francine Zimmermann, shape the leadership of FOCA.

Persons

Topics

  • Personnel changes in federal authorities
  • Civil aviation and aviation development
  • Strategic leadership and innovation

Clarus Lead

The DETEC appoints Marcel Kägi as deputy director of FOCA from April 1, 2026. This personnel decision is relevant for strategic continuity in Swiss aviation policy: Kägi and new director Francine Zimmermann form an experienced leadership team with international networks. The change occurs in the context of the retirement of former director Christian Hegner and fundamentally reorganizes the office's management structure.

Detailed Summary

Marcel Kägi has been vice director at FOCA since 2021 and co-head of the Aviation Development Division. The political scientist studied at the Universities of Bern and Brussels and completed an Executive Master of Public Administration at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Before working at FOCA, he served as a Legal and International Affairs Officer at the United Nations in New York. At FOCA, he began in 2011 as a specialist in law and international affairs, took over the Innovation, Digitalization and Strategy section in 2019, and has been responsible since 2021 for central strategic dossiers such as international negotiations, aviation law, and economic, environmental and innovation matters.

With Kägi and Zimmermann, two internationally recognized experts are taking over FOCA's leadership. Both have been committed for years to innovation and sustainability in the aviation industry. Mathias Gantenbein, the previous deputy director, is moving to head the Safety Infrastructure Division. Martin Bernegger, the long-time head of this division, will continue to work at FOCA as a special representative of the director.

Key Statements

  • Personnel Change: Marcel Kägi becomes deputy director of FOCA on April 1, 2026
  • Continuity: Kägi and new director Zimmermann form an experienced leadership duo with international expertise
  • Reorganization: Mathias Gantenbein takes over leadership of the Safety Infrastructure Division; Martin Bernegger remains as special representative
  • Strategic Priorities: Innovation, sustainability and international aviation development

Critical Questions

  1. Evidence/Qualifications: What specific successes or projects under Kägi's responsibility in the Aviation Development Division justify his suitability for the deputy director position?

  2. Conflicts of Interest: Are there potential conflicts of interest between Kägi's former role as co-head of aviation development and his new responsibility for overall strategic management?

  3. Continuity vs. Renewal: How does Kägi's strategic direction differ from his predecessor Gantenbein, and what new priorities will he set as vice director?

  4. Transition Process: How will the simultaneous handover of director (Zimmermann) and vice director (Kägi) on April 1, 2026 be organized to ensure operational stability?

  5. Bernegger's Role: What specific tasks does Martin Bernegger have as special representative, and how long is this position intended to last?

  6. International Networks: To what extent does FOCA leverage Kägi's UN experience and international contacts for aviation regulation?

Source Directory

Primary Source: Marcel Kägi Becomes Deputy Director of the Federal Office of Civil Aviation – Press Release DETEC, March 6, 2026

Verification Status: ✓ March 6, 2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-check: March 6, 2026