Klaus Henkes

Klaus Henkes (29 July 1929, in Görlitz – 7 March 2003) was a German air force officer, civil transportation official, and airline executive.

He was a general in the East German Air Force and a deputy transport minister in the government from 1975 till 1990.

After completing his training in 1953 he was appointed a pilot at the KVP flying school at the Bautzen flying centre, which later became the Officers' Training Base for Military Pilots. Between 1954 and 1955 he was sent on assignment as Senior Navigator of the forerunner organisation for East Germany's Air Force Command. The appointment of an air force general to this position highlighted the close links between Interflug and the East German military. He remained at Interflug till 1982. On 2 October 1982 he was promoted again, now to the rank of lieutenant general.

Retirement In 1989 he was awarded the National Prize of East Germany, and retired on 30 April 1990. He was also granted an invalidity pension.