Joanna Bailey

Editor, Simple Flying

Joanna has worked in publishing for more than a decade and is fast becoming a go-to source for commercial aviation analysis. Providing commentary for outlets including the BBC, CNBC, and others, she works closely with IATA, AviaDev and various airlines and suppliers to get the inside track on the global marketplace.

Jon Howell

CEO & Founder, AviaDev

Jon has worked within the African and European aviation events industries since 2012. Jon joined Bench Events in 2015 and created AviaDev, a content platform and annual route planning conference for Africa. It is now established as the largest event of its kind on the continent having been held in Kigali 2016 and 2017 and then Cape Town in 2018 and 2019 with a future edition planned for Madagascar.

Additionally, Jon established AviaDev Insight Africa, the only podcast dedicated to African aviation in 2018. This boasts an audience in over 160 countries globally and over 50,000 listeners.

Jon became a key person of influence during the coronavirus pandemic, by delivering content and insight using digital means, including delivering Africa’s first virtual event for Aviation, Tourism and Hospitality, Africa Tomorrow in July 2020.

Jon is passionate about empowering the next generation of aviators. He co-founded Aviators Africa Academy in 2018, which has delivered outreach events across the continent. He was also appointed a Global Ambassador for Gorilla Conservation for his fundraising efforts which include climbing the three largest mountains in the UK in a single weekend wearing a gorilla suit.

The Hon John Sharp AM

Deputy Chairman. Regional Express (Rex)

John has extensive experience in aviation, regional air services and was the former Federal Minister for Transport and Regional Development in the Federal Government. He is an aviator, having been a licensed pilot of both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft.

He was a member of the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth Parliament for 14 years (1984 – 1998) and retired from the House of Representatives in 1998 to establish his own high-level aviation and transport consulting company. He was Honorary Federal Treasurer of the National Party of Australia from 1999 to 2017.

John is Chairman of Pel-Air Aviation Pty Ltd and serves as a director on the boards of Power and Data Corporation Pty Limited; Luerssen Australia; Australian Maritime Shipbuilding Export Group; the Tudor House Foundation, and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, as well as a Trustee and Board Member of John McKeown House.

John is a former Chairman of the Aviation Safety Foundation of Australia; Winifred West Schools Foundation, and the Parsons Brinkerhoff Advisory Board, an engineering and design company operating throughout Australia and the region. He has previously served as a director of Airbus Group, Australia Pacific and has been a member of the University of Wollongong Vice Chancellor’s Advisory Board. He has been a director of the French-Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Co-Chair of the Cancer Council of NSW Southern Highlands Branch. He recently retired as a member of the Climate Change Authority which he served on for six years.

John was also previously appointed a director of the Flight Safety Foundation following his receipt of the Foundation’s Presidential Citation for Aviation Safety - the first Australian to receive this award. He is involved in a number of voluntary and community organisations and named a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the people and Parliament of Australia, to the aviation industry, and the community.

Joanna Bailey

Editor, Simple Flying

Joanna has worked in publishing for more than a decade and is fast becoming a go-to source for commercial aviation analysis. Providing commentary for outlets including the BBC, CNBC, and others, she works closely with IATA, AviaDev and various airlines and suppliers to get the inside track on the global marketplace.

Philip Goh

Regional Vice President Asia-Pacific, IATA

Brendan Sobie

Independent Analyst and Consultant, Sobie Aviation

Brendan Sobie has been working in the aviation industry for over 20 years as a writer, analyst and consultant. Brendan is currently working as an independent analyst and consultant, having established in 2019 the Singapore-based firm Sobie Aviation. He served as chief analyst for CAPA from 2011 to 2019, based in Singapore, and as an editor for Flightglobal from 2000 to 2011, based in the US, Singapore and UK.

Brendan has extensive experience covering emerging markets in Asia Pacific as well as in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. He is a prolific author, writing over the last year several white papers, studies and media commentaries related to the COVID-19 crisis. Brendan provides strategic advice for a wide range of companies including airports, airlines, aircraft leasing companies, development banks, investment banks and IT suppliers.

Brendan is a widely recognized thought leader on aviation issues in Asia Pacific. Brendan gives frequent presentations, is an instructor on aviation courses and is often quoted by the international media. Recent television appearances include Bloomberg and CNBC. Brendan has a degree in industrial and labor relations from Cornell University in New York.

Linus Benjamin Bauer

Founder & Managing Director, Bauer Aviation Advisory

Linus Benjamin Bauer is the Founder and Managing Director of Bauer Aviation Advisory (BAA), an award-winning boutique consulting firm with its headquarters in Dubai. Apart from his main duty at BAA, Linus is a Visiting Lecturer in Air Transport Management at universities across the globe including the City University of London. In collaboration with Qantas and the University of Sydney, Linus did his pioneer research about the commercial viability/economic feasibility of ultra long-haul operations.

In his current main role at BAA, he leads a global team of internationally renowned experts supporting clients with various health check packages and customized solutions for airlines and airports to help them transform their business performance. We also focus on enhancing corporate strategy through strategy analytics and maximizing operational efficiency and effectiveness to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage throughout our clients’ value chain.

In 2019, Linus received the Outstanding Achievement Award in Air Transport Management from HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum in Dubai. Linus holds a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in Air Transport Management from the City University of London. Additionally, he holds degrees in Aviation Management and International Economics & Global Affairs from the IUBH (Germany) and Yale University (United States).

Tom Boon

Content Manager, Simple Flying

John Grant

Partner, AviaDev Consult powered by MIDAS Aviation

John is a partner at MIDAS Aviation, providing marketing intelligence, data and strategic advice to the industry.

He was formerly Executive Vice President at OAG, the world’s leading aviation data supplier, and prior to that was Managing Director of a UK based aviation consultancy that was twice voted the UK’s best aviation practice by the UK Airport Operators Association. John continues to work with OAG on major consultancy projects and provides industry support and strategic advice to OAG management.

A regular speaker at industry events such as AviaDev, PATA Conferences and ACI events, John is also an industry advisor to the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) and regular appears on business channels such as BBC World News, CNN and Bloomberg.

In his successful consultancy career John has worked around the globe on major strategic projects including Malaysia Airports as a retained consultant for more than ten years, Lima Airport Peru, Amsterdam Schiphol, Perth Western Australia and for Frankfurt Airport on their overseas investment assets.

John Grant

Partner, AviaDev Consult powered by MIDAS Aviation

John is a partner at MIDAS Aviation, providing marketing intelligence, data and strategic advice to the industry.

He was formerly Executive Vice President at OAG, the world’s leading aviation data supplier, and prior to that was Managing Director of a UK based aviation consultancy that was twice voted the UK’s best aviation practice by the UK Airport Operators Association. John continues to work with OAG on major consultancy projects and provides industry support and strategic advice to OAG management.

A regular speaker at industry events such as AviaDev, PATA Conferences and ACI events, John is also an industry advisor to the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) and regular appears on business channels such as BBC World News, CNN and Bloomberg.

In his successful consultancy career John has worked around the globe on major strategic projects including Malaysia Airports as a retained consultant for more than ten years, Lima Airport Peru, Amsterdam Schiphol, Perth Western Australia and for Frankfurt Airport on their overseas investment assets.

Evert de Boer

Managing Director, On Point Loyalty

Evert de Boer has researched and worked in airline loyalty strategy since 2000. He has collaborated with more than 35 airlines globally on airline loyalty programs in advisory roles.

He has published numerous articles and white papers on the subject.

In his current role at On Point Loyalty, he leads a global team of loyalty and finance experts supporting clients in designing and executing their airline loyalty strategies.

Evert de Boer is the author of 'Strategy in Airline Loyalty: Frequent Flyer Programmes' which was published by Palgrave Macmillan in 2018.

Paula Thomas

Podcast Creator & Show Host, Let's Talk Loyalty

With over twenty-five years blue-chip marketing experience, Paula is now an award-winning podcaster, hosting interviews and articles for her show “Let’s Talk Loyalty”, the world’s first podcast for loyalty marketing professionals.

As an expert loyalty practitioner, her clients have included Telefonica O2 Priority, Electric Ireland and Allied Irish Bank as well as Avios – the global points currency for some of the world’s top airlines.

She is a former judge for the “Loyalty Magazine Awards”, a founding member of the Customer Strategy Network of loyalty practitioners, and the author of the book “Driving Loyalty in Convenience Retail”.

She holds a Masters in Business from Ireland’s top University and is a “Certified Loyalty Marketing Professional”.

Vinod Kannan

Chief Commercial Officer, Vistara

Vinod Kannan joined Vistara in June 2019. In his role, he is responsible for developing, executing and sustaining Vistara’s corporate strategy and ensuring the airline’s commercial success. He spearheads a wide portfolio of Vistara’s strategic and commercial functions, including but not limited to pricing and revenue management, network planning, sales & distribution, partnerships & alliances, product development, in-flight services, marketing, branding and customer experience.

With over 19 years of experience working with Singapore Airlines (SIA), he brings with him deep knowledge of the aviation industry across international markets. He joined the group in 2001 and has held many senior positions in airline’s head office in Singapore as well as overseas.

Prior to joining Vistara, he served as the Chief Commercial Officer of Scoot, SIA's low-cost subsidiary in Singapore, where he was instrumental in launching long-haul operations, mainly to cities in Europe. He has also served SIA as Vice President Network Planning and as Singapore Airlines’ General Manager for Indonesia. Mr. Kannan has spearheaded Singapore Airlines’ Marketing and Sales departments as well in the Middle East and Italy.

He holds a Masters degree in Business Administration from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). In his free time, he enjoys reading and playing squash or tennis.

Pranjal Pande

Lead Journalist - India, Simple Flying

James Pearson

Routes Analyst, Simple Flying

Ben Griffin

VP Mobility, OneWeb

Ben has over 20 years’ experience in IFC, with notable contributions to companies such as ARINC, AeroMobile, Inmarsat and currently OneWeb. Ben’s career in IFC has developed alongside the fast-paced change from narrow band to true broadband connectivity and now at OneWeb is responsible for delivering fibre-like connectivity solutions to aviation customers in all parts of the aircraft, passengers and crew alike. Ben brings a wealth of experience from the IFC service provision perspective, including significant satellite provider insight spanning both GEO and LEO technologies. Now based in the UK, Ben has also enjoyed 13 years in the Middle East giving him a broad experience of business in MEA and APAC regions.

Maryann Simson

Independent Aviation Jornalist and Consultant

Pranjal Pande

Lead Journalist - India, Simple Flying

Gaurav Joshi

Journalist, Simple Flying

Andreas Spaeth

Independent Aviation Journalist

Andreas Spaeth has been covering the airline industry as an aviation journalist and author since the late 1980s and travels the world visiting airlines, airports and aircraft manufacturers. He works for a wide spectrum of general and aviation media in Germany, Switzerland, the UK and Australia and often appears on TV and radio as an expert. He has recently published two major books, one on Supersonic Travel and another about the Airbus A380.

Tom Boon

Content Manager, Simple Flying

Clarissa Sebastian

Managing Director, Premium Customer Experience, American Airlines

Jay Singh

Deputy Content Manager & Lead Journalist, North America, Simple Flying

Joanna Bailey

Editor, Simple Flying

Joanna has worked in publishing for more than a decade and is fast becoming a go-to source for commercial aviation analysis. Providing commentary for outlets including the BBC, CNBC, and others, she works closely with IATA, AviaDev and various airlines and suppliers to get the inside track on the global marketplace.

Jon Howell

CEO & Founder, AviaDev

Jon has worked within the African and European aviation events industries since 2012. Jon joined Bench Events in 2015 and created AviaDev, a content platform and annual route planning conference for Africa. It is now established as the largest event of its kind on the continent having been held in Kigali 2016 and 2017 and then Cape Town in 2018 and 2019 with a future edition planned for Madagascar.

Additionally, Jon established AviaDev Insight Africa, the only podcast dedicated to African aviation in 2018. This boasts an audience in over 160 countries globally and over 50,000 listeners.

Jon became a key person of influence during the coronavirus pandemic, by delivering content and insight using digital means, including delivering Africa’s first virtual event for Aviation, Tourism and Hospitality, Africa Tomorrow in July 2020.

Jon is passionate about empowering the next generation of aviators. He co-founded Aviators Africa Academy in 2018, which has delivered outreach events across the continent. He was also appointed a Global Ambassador for Gorilla Conservation for his fundraising efforts which include climbing the three largest mountains in the UK in a single weekend wearing a gorilla suit.

Tewolde Gebremariam

Group CEO, Ethiopian Airlines

Tewolde GebreMariam was appointed as Group Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines in January 2011. He began his career at Ethiopian in 1985 as Transportation Agent and held a number of senior leadership positions in different divisions in the Airline including Ethiopian Cargo, Area Offices and Sales & Marketing.

In his role as CEO, Mr. Tewolde has been a multiple award winner including ‘African CEO of the Year’, ‘Best African Business Leader’, ‘The Airline Strategy Award for Regional Leadership’, ‘The Most Gender Focused CEO Award’, Most Influential People of African Descent ‘Airline Executive of the year Award’, ‘Africa’s Business Man of the Year Award and he was also among 100 most influential Africans for 2 consecutive years in 2019 and 2020.

Mr. Tewolde also serves as a member of the High-Level Advisory Group on Sustainable Transport with United Nations, Chief Executive Board member of Star Alliance, Board member of International Air Transport Association (IATA), and Airlink Advisory Council. Additionally, he is an Executive Committee member of the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), a member of the Board of Directors of Africa Travel Association (ATA) and Board of Directors of Ethiopian Tourism Organization (ETO).

Mr. Tewolde graduated from Addis Ababa University with B.A. Degree in Economics. He earned his Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Open University in the United Kingdom. He has received an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters Honoris Causa from Addis Ababa University in July 2019.

Jon Howell

CEO & Founder, AviaDev

Jon has worked within the African and European aviation events industries since 2012. Jon joined Bench Events in 2015 and created AviaDev, a content platform and annual route planning conference for Africa. It is now established as the largest event of its kind on the continent having been held in Kigali 2016 and 2017 and then Cape Town in 2018 and 2019 with a future edition planned for Madagascar.

Additionally, Jon established AviaDev Insight Africa, the only podcast dedicated to African aviation in 2018. This boasts an audience in over 160 countries globally and over 50,000 listeners.

Jon became a key person of influence during the coronavirus pandemic, by delivering content and insight using digital means, including delivering Africa’s first virtual event for Aviation, Tourism and Hospitality, Africa Tomorrow in July 2020.

Jon is passionate about empowering the next generation of aviators. He co-founded Aviators Africa Academy in 2018, which has delivered outreach events across the continent. He was also appointed a Global Ambassador for Gorilla Conservation for his fundraising efforts which include climbing the three largest mountains in the UK in a single weekend wearing a gorilla suit.

Sean Mendis

Aviation Expert

Sean Mendis returned to Ghana in 2018 as Chief Operations Officer of Africa World Airlines, resuming a role he had previously held from 2010 to 2012 during the airline's startup.

From 2005 to 2010, Sean was part of the launch management team of Ghana International Airlines. In 2013, he moved to Somalia to manage Mogadishu's Aden Abdulle International Airport for SKA International Group under contract from the Somali Federal Government. Between 2014 and 2018, he helped launch multiple aviation business lines for SKA, including a jet-fuel terminal in the UAE, and a cargo airline based in Uganda.

Sean Mendis

Aviation Expert

Sean Mendis returned to Ghana in 2018 as Chief Operations Officer of Africa World Airlines, resuming a role he had previously held from 2010 to 2012 during the airline's startup.

From 2005 to 2010, Sean was part of the launch management team of Ghana International Airlines. In 2013, he moved to Somalia to manage Mogadishu's Aden Abdulle International Airport for SKA International Group under contract from the Somali Federal Government. Between 2014 and 2018, he helped launch multiple aviation business lines for SKA, including a jet-fuel terminal in the UAE, and a cargo airline based in Uganda.

James Pearson

Routes Analyst, Simple Flying

Linden Birns

Owner/MD, Plane Talking

Sophie Dekkers

CCO, easyjet

Tom Boon

Content Manager, Simple Flying

Andrew Geer

Chief Engineer and Head of Programme - UltraFan, Rolls-Royce

Andy has worked for Rolls-Royce since 1987 in a variety of Engineering-focussed roles. After early years of work on FADEC design and development, Andy moved to support the experimental and certification activity for Trent 700 and Trent 800 engine types – culminating in participation in the 777 Flight Test campaign as part of the Seattle-based Rolls-Royce team. Having subsequently spent a year or so based in Singapore as local Engineering support for the introduction of the Rolls-powered 777-200 to this strategic new customer, Andy took up the first of a number of Engineering leadership roles in the UK, culminating in appointment as Chief Engineer for the fleet of Rolls-Royce equipment on Boeing platforms (RB211-535, 524 and Trent 800 engine types).

At the formal launch of the Trent 1000 on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Andy became Chief Engineer for that new engine NPI programme – taking the engine from the exit of the Stage 1 concept design process right through to just prior to EIS.

Andy joined the Installations Supply Chain Unit as leader of their global engineering team for a 2 year period, enacting a transformation of the team in support of a wider Rolls-Royce re-organisation to focus on sub-system design capability – Andy ultimately leading Installations and Power Transmissions sub-system groups.

From late 2013, Andy built and led the team enacting Rolls-Royce Civil Technology Demonstrator programmes at a whole engine level. This specifically included execution of Advance3, a fast-moving whole engine Demonstrator programme focussed on gas turbine core technology risk mitigation. Andy’s role encompasses both Chief Engineer and Head of Programme accountabilities, driving both technology risk mitigation and evolving improved means of programme delivery in support of future engine options.

Since September 2017 Andy’s focus has been on the execution of the UltraFan® technology demonstrator programme as the Chief Engineer and Head of Programme.

Martin Gauss

CEO, airBaltic

Martin Gauss is the CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board of airBaltic since November 2011. Under his leadership, airBaltic has successfully carried out a robust turnaround plan and achieved a strong growth path. With the early decision of ordering up to 80 Airbus A220, Gauss has built a foundation for the airline’s global success story. Martin Gauss is an experienced CEO who has worked in the aviation industry in different countries for nearly 30 years. He still holds a Captain's license on Airbus A220.

Alina Roscina

SVP Human Resources, airBaltic

Bjørn Tore Larsen

CEO, Norse Atlantic Airways

Bjørn Tore Larsen is the founder, CEO and the major shareholder of Norse Atlantic Airways, Bjørn Tore has been interested in and passionate about aviation for as long as he can remember. He holds several type ratings, including the Boeing 747.

Bjørn Tore has extensive international shipping experience, which includes founding and controlling OSM Maritime Group in 1989, a ship owning company headquartered in Norway with more than 16,000 employees internationally and ADS Maritime Holding, a company listed on the Euronext Growth Exchange in Oslo. He is the majority shareholder of OSM Flight Academy, which has pilot schools in the U.S., Norway and Sweden. He is also the majority shareholder of OSM Airtech, which offers aircraft maintenance services in Norway and Sweden.

Bjørn Tore is a self-made entrepreneur who spent a year at sea when he was 16. Soon after returning home to go to high school, he decided to pursue his dream of becoming a businessman, and at the age of 18 acquired a travel agency near his now hometown of Arendal, Norway. Three years later he founded OSM Maritime, which is now among the largest ship management companies in the world.

Birgir Jonsson

CEO, PLAY

Birgir has extensive experience in international management and operations. He was Ossur's Regional Director in Asia, based in Hong Kong, CEO of Iceland Express and later Deputy CEO of WOW air. He lived and worked in Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary, where he was CEO of Infopress Group, one of the largest printing companies in Eastern Europe. He was CEO of Iceland Post and has also been involved in many projects in the field of restructuring and transformation across a diverse range of industries.

Birgir holds an MBA from the University of Westminster in London and a BA (Hons) from the University of the Arts London.

Juraj Toth

Managing Director, AviaDev Europe

Juraj is a passionate aviation marketer who believes flying is a force of good. He worked for Košice Airport, Slovakia for 7 years. He built the marketing department from scratch and was responsible for creating and implementing marketing strategies that totally repositioned the airport. Juraj played a leading role within the airport team focused on air service development that managed to bring several new airlines to Košice. Since June 2018 he´s been enjoying his new role with AviaDev. In May 2019 he was appointed as Managing Director for AviaDev Europe.

Jonathan Wood

Vice President - Renewable Aviation, Neste

Sumit Singh

Deputy Editor, Simple Flying

Arjan Meijer

President and CEO, Embraer Commercial Aviation

Arjan is President & Chief Executive Officer of Embraer Commercial Aviation and EVP at Embraer S.A.

Arjan joined Embraer in April 2016 as Vice President of Commercial Aviation for Europe, Middle East, Russia and Central Asia. Appointed Chief Commercial Officer of Embraer Commercial Aviation in January 2017, based in Amsterdam, Arjan oversaw worldwide sales, marketing, customer support and primary customer relationships. In June 2020 Arjan was appointed President & CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation and, as an EVP, joined the management board of Embraer S.A.

Prior to April 2016, Arjan spent 15 years at KLM on the engineering, technical services and fleet development aspects of the company. His last role was Managing Director of KLM UK Engineering Limited, a wholly-owned AFI KLM E&M subsidiary specializing in maintenance solutions for regional and narrow-body aircraft fleets.

Arjan has a degree in Aerospace Engineering from Delft University of Technology and also holds an Executive MBA (International Master’s in Management) from Purdue University.

Joanna Bailey

Editor, Simple Flying

Joanna has worked in publishing for more than a decade and is fast becoming a go-to source for commercial aviation analysis. Providing commentary for outlets including the BBC, CNBC, and others, she works closely with IATA, AviaDev and various airlines and suppliers to get the inside track on the global marketplace.

Felix Antelo

President and CEO, Viva Air

Felix Antelo is Business Administrator of the Pontificia Universidad Católica of Argentina and has more than 20 years of experience in the aviation industry, living and working in the most important countries of Latin America. He currently serves as President and CEO of Viva Group, the leading group of ultra-low cost airlines in the region, with operations in Colombia and Peru.

He previously served as CEO of LATAM Airlines Peru, from 2014 to 2018. In addition, he held different positions in LAN/LATAM as Commercial Director in Ecuador, Sales Director and Commercial Director in Argentina, and Commercial Vice President in Chile and Brazil.

Félix was Director of AMCHAM Peru (American Chamber of Commerce of Peru), and has been chosen as one of the most influential business leaders in recent years.

At this moment, Antelo is working for the internationalization process of Viva, planning to open 15 new international routes in three years, and making Medellín its HUB - Connections Center for the region, one of the most important projects for 2021. In addition, he led the change of image of the Viva brand to invite all its travelers to 'fly more'.

Viva has a solid network of national and international routes, flying to 12 destinations within Colombia, 7 domestic destinations in Peru and 5 international destinations such as Lima, Miami, Orlando, Mexico City and Cancun. With the purchase of new Airbus 320 aircraft, which began arriving in 2019, Grupo Viva plans to expand its model throughout the region in the following years.

Daniel Martinez Garbuno

Lead Journalist - Latin America, Simple Flying

José Ricardo Botelho

Executive Director and CEO, Latin American & Caribbean Air Transport Association

José Ricardo Botelho is a Lawyer from the Catholic University of Salvador, Brazil with experience in civil aviation and public service.

Prior to joining ALTA, José Ricardo served for 4 years as President of the Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) and, for about 2 and a half years, he served as Brazil's Alternate Diplomatic Delegate to ICAO, actively participating in the amendments to the text of the Tokyo Convention in the work relevant to Brazil's entry in ICAO’s Public Key Directory (PKD) and in the systematization of API (Advanced Passenger Information), besides having worked on the rules against acts of unlawful interference (AVSEC) for civil aviation.

José Ricardo holds a postgraduate degree in Criminal Sciences from Jorge Amado University and a postgraduate degree in Public Security Management from the National Police Academy, both from Brazil.

Rob McKinney

CEO, Northern Pacific Airways

Rob McKinney is chief executive officer of FLOAT Alaska LLC and its subsidiaries--Northern Pacific Airways and Ravn Alaska, where he leads a team of 400 employees and manages a growing fleet of aircraft that fly to destinations statewide. In addition to being a Learjet captain, Rob has over thirty years of airline experience piloting commercial aircraft and managing flight operations. In 2002, as VP and director of operations at Pacific Wings, a Hawaiian-based commuter airline, Rob oversaw exponential customer growth which tripled passenger traffic during his three-year tenure. He thereafter joined Mokulele Airlines in Hawaii as chief operating officer, where he successfully converted the company from a small air-touring service, into a fully scheduled commuter airline. Rob returned stateside in 2007 to join SeaPort Airlines, a small startup based in Portland, Oregon. As chief operations officer, and later chief executive officer at SeaPort, Rob established a commuter shuttle service between Portland and Seattle. In 2018, Rob co-founded FLOAT (Fly Over All Traffic) Shuttle Inc., a commuter and corporate transportation service in southern California. In April 2020, Rob and the FLOAT Shuttle Inc. team orchestrated the acquisition of Ravn Air Group. Rob received his Bachelor of Science in Technology from Purdue University and has an MBA from Ellis College/NYIT. He hails from the state of Indiana.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/roblmckinney/

Sumit Singh

Deputy Editor, Simple Flying

Brett Catlin

Vice President - Networks and Alliances, Alaska Airlines

Jay Singh

Deputy Content Manager & Lead Journalist, North America, Simple Flying

Shashank Nigam

Founder and CEO, Simpliflying

Shashank is antifragile - He thrives in disorder and chaos. Since the beginning of COVID-19, he has led efforts to help top aviation executives rebuild trust in travel. Being the first to release a 58-touchpoint map in March 2020 called the "Rise of Sanitised Travel" to launching APEX Health Safety powered by SimpliFlying ratings, He has led from the front. SimpliFlying's Fit2Fly product allows airlines to own the customer journey by offering COVID-testing and wellness services within the booking path.

Since 2008, when he started SimpliFlying, he has always had an eye toward the future. Then, airlines needed to be on social media to build trust. Today, they need to prioritise well being ahead of on-time performance. Having worked directly with over 100 airlines, airports and OEMs (like Boeing, Airbus, P&W), Shashank has built an eye for helping leaders stay ahead of the competition. His book, SOAR, charts the journey of some of the best airline brands in the world on delighting customers and inspiring employees.

His passionate and honest perspectives on aviation strategy have found their way to over 100 leading media outlets, including the Harvard Business Review, BBC, CNBC, Reuters and Bloomberg, and into leading publications such as The Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. He writes a dedicated monthly column in Flight's Airline Business, challenging the typical assumptions about aviation.

Shashank studied Information Systems Management and Business Management at Singapore Management University and Carnegie Mellon University. Born in India, raised in Singapore, he now lives with his wife and two young daughters in Whistler, BC. Follow him on Linkedin or get his book at www.simplisoar.com or Amazon.

*Antifragile is a term coined by Nassim Nicholas Taleb of the Black Swan fame.

David Neeleman

Founder, CEO & Chairman of the Board, Breeze Airways; Founder of JetBlue and Azul

David Neeleman is that rarest of entrepreneurs, a man who has created and launched a multitude of successful, independent airlines, including the USA’s Breeze Airways, JetBlue and Morris Air (sold to Southwest), Canada’s WestJet and Brazil’s Azul.

David was born in Brazil while his father was Reuter’s São Paulo Bureau Chief. His family moved to Utah while he was still a child. His career began in 1984 when he co-founded a low-fare carrier called Morris Air with June Morris, the owner of Salt Lake City-based travel agency Morris Travel. As President of Morris Air, David implemented the industry’s first electronic ticketing system and pioneered a home reservation system where calls are handled by reservationists working from their homes.

Following the sale of Morris Air and a short period with Southwest Airlines, David took the electronic ticketing system that he had initiated at Morris Air and developed it to become Open Skies, the world’s simplest airline reservation system. David sold Open Skies to Hewlett Packard in 1999. Also during this period, David acted as a consultant to WestJet Airlines, the successful Canadian low-fare start-up airline.

David then founded JetBlue Airways in New York and spent a decade as Chief Executive Officer (1998 to 2007) and Chairman (2002 to 2008). An amazing success by any measure, JetBlue was an instant hit with travelers and was the first airline to earn $100 million annually within five years, thus becoming a “major” airline fastest. JetBlue has won countless awards and accolades including Top Low Cost Airline for Customer Satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates and Best Airline by Consumer Reports. It won Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers Choice Awards for Best U.S. Airline for seven consecutive years.

After JetBlue, it was Brazil’s turn to experience David’s magic in bringing new planes and low fares to many markets that had never seen nonstop service.

Azul, launched in 2008, now serves more than 100 destinations with an operating fleet of more than 140 aircraft, including Brazilian-built Embraer E-190 and E-195 jets, and ATR-72s. Just as JetBlue in the US before it, Azul is the first airline in Latin America to offer LiveTV inflight TV programming via satellite.

David now turns his attention back to the US domestic airline industry with his new airline Breeze Airways. Breeze began commercial service on May 27 and now operates 39 routes in 16 cities from San Antonio, TX, to Providence, RI. David plans to re-invent low cost travel with nonstop service between secondary and tertiary markets across the USA.

Breeze currently operates 13 Embraer aircraft and has orders for 60 new Airbus A220 aircraft which start delivery in October and will be delivered one per month for the next five years.

Joanna Bailey

Editor, Simple Flying

Joanna has worked in publishing for more than a decade and is fast becoming a go-to source for commercial aviation analysis. Providing commentary for outlets including the BBC, CNBC, and others, she works closely with IATA, AviaDev and various airlines and suppliers to get the inside track on the global marketplace.