Alumni Spotlight: Keeping Airports Flowing with Jari Klos (’14)

Growing up between countries, Jari (’14) has constantly been in motion. Regular flights across Europe sparked his early fascination with airports — not just the aircraft themselves, but the complexity of how everything behind the scenes worked together to make air travel possible.

That curiosity turned into a calling. As Jari prepared to graduate from ISZL in 2014, he began researching careers, determined to find a path that combined his analytical mindset with his love for aviation. His search led him to a unique dual study Business Administration programme with Berlin Brandenburg Airport and the Berlin School of Economics and Law.

The three-year programme proved rigorous, blending the demands of university coursework with the responsibilities of a full-time job. The three-year course was demanding, requiring Jari to alternate every three months between academic study and hands-on work at the airport, which gave him a comprehensive understanding of how airports function as complex, interconnected systems.

Through the years in Berlin, Jari also completed a Master’s in Aviation Management, contributing to the closure of Berlin-Tegel and the transformation of Schönefeld into the new main airport for the region in 2020. Successfully navigating the unprecedented challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, his work not only required adapting to rapidly changing circumstances within the industry but also developing agile solutions to keep airport operations resilient and responsive during a time of global upheaval. As his expertise deepened, Jari became the go-to specialist for forecasting and operational planning at Berlin Brandenburg Airport. He was entrusted to represent the airport on an international stage, sharing best practices with industry peers and contributing to collaborative initiatives.

Today, Jari is back in Switzerland and now works at Zurich Airport. He is responsible for the traffic predictions and is part of the Planning & Optimisation team dedicated to planning the essential airport processes and ensuring a pleasant experience for all passengers. Returning to Switzerland has brought a fresh set of challenges, as every airport presents its own complexities and demands. The closeness to family and friends in Switzerland, surrounded by stunning lakes and majestic mountains where many high school days were enjoyed, are set to make this new chapter truly rewarding.

Among Jari’s recollections from his time at ISZL are the memorable outdoor excursions and the enthusiasm from genuinely dedicated teachers across all departments. The supportive approach of teachers at ISZL played a significant role in fostering critical thinking and cross-cultural communication skills. The IB programme also equipped Jari with the ability to manage deadlines and cope with stress, to the extent that some university semesters seemed less demanding than his IB experience. ISZL provided him not only with an education but also with the outlook to approach arising challenges as opportunities. Looking back, Jari credits especially his high school teachers Ms. Badcock, Mr. Neil, Ms. Glausen, Mr. and Mrs. Lordet, Mr. Huber and Mr. Dalesio with providing the setting to gain the skills and confidence to thrive in such a global, fast-moving environment.

Now based in Zurich, Jari continues to combine his passion for aviation and analytics with the same curiosity that began all those years ago. He finds great satisfaction in knowing that his efforts help make countless journeys more seamless, drawing inspiration from the opportunity to ensure smooth airport operations behind the scenes.