About

André Dosé’s career is defined by high-stakes turnarounds, navigating major corporate restructurings, and leading prominent institutions through organizational turbulence.

Early Career and Aviation Roots

Dosé began his career in aviation with a deep passion for flying, earning his private pilot’s license at age 17.

• Ground Staff to Crop Dusting: He initially worked on the ground staff for Switzerland’s former national carrier, Swissair, in operations and cargo. Seeking a path to the cockpit, he moved to the United States to earn his commercial pilot’s license, working for a time flying crop-dusters over cotton fields in Louisiana.
• The Crossair Years (1986–2001): He returned to Switzerland in 1986 and joined the regional airline Crossair as a co-pilot under its founder, Moritz Suter. Dosé rose quickly through the ranks, transitioning from captain to Chief Pilot, and eventually joining executive management as the head of airline operations.

Rebuilding Swiss Aviation (2001–2004)

Dosé stepped into the national spotlight during the unprecedented crisis of the Swiss aviation industry.

• The Crossair Succession: In early 2001, he succeeded Moritz Suter as the CEO of Crossair.
• Founding Swiss International Air Lines: Following the dramatic structural grounding of Swissair in October 2001, Dosé became the architect tasked with resurrecting a national carrier. He served as the founding CEO of the newly formed Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) starting in late 2001/early 2002. He merged parts of the defunct Swissair fleet and personnel into the operational structure of Crossair. His leadership during this critical period earned him Switzerland’s “Manager of the Year” award in 2002.
• Resignation: He resigned from SWISS in March 2004 amid intense financial pressures, dwindling cash reserves, and looming legal investigations regarding organizational oversight during a fatal 2001 Crossair crash in Bassersdorf. (He was later fully acquitted of all legal charges related to the accident).

International Turnarounds and Sports Management

• Gulf Air (2007): In April 2007, Dosé was hired as the CEO of Bahrain’s state-owned carrier, Gulf Air, to execute a major corporate restructuring. However, he resigned just four months later due to heavy political friction and intense interference from the airline’s board.
• Grasshopper Club Zürich (2012–2013): Shifting focus to sports management, Dosé took over as the President of the struggling Swiss football club Grasshopper Club Zürich in 2012. Under his leadership, he stabilized the near-relegated club, leading them to a Swiss Cup victory and a runner-up finish in the Super League before stepping down in late 2013 due to internal leadership disagreements.

Later Board Mandates & Consulting (2005–Present)

Since leaving frontline airline operations, Dosé has operated as an independent corporate restructuring specialist, industry advisor, and board member.

• André Dosé Consulting: This is his own firm focusing on corporate refinancing, management training, and restructuring strategies.
• Energy and Transport Sectors: He built a robust portfolio of board mandates in Switzerland, serving as the Chairman of the board for regional transport company BLT (Baselland Transport AG) from 2010 to 2022. He also held prominent leadership roles in the Swiss energy infrastructure sector, including positions with Swissgas, Transitgas AG, and Gasverbund Mittelland AG.
• Travel Industry Safeguards: He serves as the long-time Chairman of the Board for the Garantiefonds der Schweizer Reisebranche (the Swiss travel industry guarantee fund), which protects consumers in the event of travel agency or airline insolvencies.