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Michael Zintel

Managing Partner

Head of Arthur D. Little for Germany and Switzerland

Michael combines in-depth mobility and transportation experience with innovative, hands-on strategy and organization expertise to help clients anticipate, innovate and transform.

Michael Zintel

Areas of Focus

Education

EBS University of Business and Law
Master of Business Administration/Diplom-Kaufmann

Michael Zintel

Michael is Managing Partner, leading Arthur D. Little and Switzerland. Based in our Frankfurt office, he is a member of our Travel & Transportation Practice.

Since joining Arthur D. Little in 2005, Michael has worked in all sub-industries of travel & transportation, namely rail, logistics, aviation, tourism, tolling, urban transportation and neighboring industries such as automotive and the public sector.

Examples of his work include strategy development, intercompany as well as open innovation initiatives, digitalization, integrated mobility platforms and transformation, including reorganization, governance and change management.

Michael has a passion for sports and traveling.

Rail 2040
Travel & transportation
Rail 2040
Find out more
End-to-end incident management in transport: A key driver of customer excellence
Travel & transportation
End-to-end incident management in transport: A key driver of customer excellence
Performance around punctuality (and regularity) has not made enough progress in reaching customers’ high standards in spite of many programs. Similarly, the occurrence of other adverse events — faulty passenger information, defective seats — and the absence of prompt, satisfactory treatment of such issues generate disappointment, which may offset any positive customer experiences. In this Viewpoint, we reflect on the levers transport operators should put in place to better prevent, identify, and control operational incidents — and boost customer satisfaction.
Find out more
Travel & transportation
Digital business models in freight
Michael Zintel, Ralf Baron
Find out more
Travel & transportation
Aviation year zero – New non-aero revenues
Ralf Baron, Michael Zintel
Retail shops, food & beverage outlets and car parks are perceived as integral parts of an airport. These so-called “non-aero revenues” have long been a reliable and profitable source of income for airports. However, in recent years, airports’ vital income source has been under attack. Now, due to the COVID-19 crisis, airport terminals around the world are deserted. Is COVID-19 the last bullet that will break airports’ fortress?
Find out more
Travel & transportation
Lost in transformation
Ralf Baron, Michael Zintel
Transformation has arrived in the transportation & logistics industry. However, we have only just witnessed the start of an extensive change process that will shake up the balance of power. Players unable to adapt to the new reality will face immense pressure, as entire business models are at stake.
Find out more
Travel & transportation
The low-cost puzzle for long-haul trains
Michael Zintel, Ralf Baron
Long-haul (high-speed) rail has been gaining popularity globally in recent years – especially in Western Europe and East Asia. Due to the growing popularity among travelers and branching out of incumbent operators, it is likely that we will see diversification of business models in the near future. The airline industry saw such diversification in the late 1990s. Here, low-cost-carrier models have been particularly successful. Recently, the low-cost movement has also started to transform the coach industry. Could rail be next?
Find out more

Michael Zintel

Michael is Managing Partner, leading Arthur D. Little and Switzerland. Based in our Frankfurt office, he is a member of our Travel & Transportation Practice.

Since joining Arthur D. Little in 2005, Michael has worked in all sub-industries of travel & transportation, namely rail, logistics, aviation, tourism, tolling, urban transportation and neighboring industries such as automotive and the public sector.

Examples of his work include strategy development, intercompany as well as open innovation initiatives, digitalization, integrated mobility platforms and transformation, including reorganization, governance and change management.

Michael has a passion for sports and traveling.

Rail 2040
Travel & transportation
Rail 2040
Find out more
End-to-end incident management in transport: A key driver of customer excellence
Travel & transportation
End-to-end incident management in transport: A key driver of customer excellence
Performance around punctuality (and regularity) has not made enough progress in reaching customers’ high standards in spite of many programs. Similarly, the occurrence of other adverse events — faulty passenger information, defective seats — and the absence of prompt, satisfactory treatment of such issues generate disappointment, which may offset any positive customer experiences. In this Viewpoint, we reflect on the levers transport operators should put in place to better prevent, identify, and control operational incidents — and boost customer satisfaction.
Find out more
Travel & transportation
Digital business models in freight
Michael Zintel, Ralf Baron
Find out more
Travel & transportation
Aviation year zero – New non-aero revenues
Ralf Baron, Michael Zintel
Retail shops, food & beverage outlets and car parks are perceived as integral parts of an airport. These so-called “non-aero revenues” have long been a reliable and profitable source of income for airports. However, in recent years, airports’ vital income source has been under attack. Now, due to the COVID-19 crisis, airport terminals around the world are deserted. Is COVID-19 the last bullet that will break airports’ fortress?
Find out more
Travel & transportation
Lost in transformation
Ralf Baron, Michael Zintel
Transformation has arrived in the transportation & logistics industry. However, we have only just witnessed the start of an extensive change process that will shake up the balance of power. Players unable to adapt to the new reality will face immense pressure, as entire business models are at stake.
Find out more
Travel & transportation
The low-cost puzzle for long-haul trains
Michael Zintel, Ralf Baron
Long-haul (high-speed) rail has been gaining popularity globally in recent years – especially in Western Europe and East Asia. Due to the growing popularity among travelers and branching out of incumbent operators, it is likely that we will see diversification of business models in the near future. The airline industry saw such diversification in the late 1990s. Here, low-cost-carrier models have been particularly successful. Recently, the low-cost movement has also started to transform the coach industry. Could rail be next?
Find out more

More About Michael
  • EBS University of Business and Law
    Master of Business Administration/Diplom-Kaufmann