People

Singapore, 2nd June 2026: Alton Aviation Consultancy has announced the appointment of Jeffrey Goh as a Managing Director in its Singapore office, where he will strengthen the firm’s global airline advisory practice. Jeffrey brings more than 30 years of international aviation experience across airline leadership, alliance strategy, industry engagement and commercial transformation. Adam Cowburn, Managing Director at Alton Aviation Consultancy, says: “We are delighted to welcome Jeffrey to Alton’s senior team, strengthening our ability to serve airline clients around the world with strategic, well-informed advisory services. His deep experience and knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing the sector will be hugely beneficial to clients navigating an increasingly competitive market.” Jeffrey adds: “Alton has built a strong reputation for combining deep aviation and aerospace expertise with practical, results-oriented advisory support. I’m pleased to be part of the firm at a time of significant change for airlines globally and look forward to providing clients with strategic counsel, while working alongside a fantastic team of advisors.” Prior to Alton, Jeffrey served as Group Chief Executive Officer at Gulf Air Group and before that served as Chief Executive Officer at Star Alliance, leading a period of strategic growth and digital transformation. At the Gulf Air Group, he was instrumental in the network recalibration and customer experience transformation of the airline. During his tenure at Star Alliance, he worked closely with member airline CEOs and leadership teams across network strategy, alliance development, customer experience, and operational collaboration. Previously, he held senior leadership positions at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), where he represented airline interests and led industry engagement on policy, regulation, sustainability, and aviation development initiatives. The announcement comes as Alton continues enhancing its capabilities and expertise to it support growing demand from airline clients navigating a complex operating environment while pursuing long-term growth.

Mumbai, 15th April 2026: Chapman Freeborn has appointed Danish Cutleriwala as Country Manager India, further strengthening its leadership presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation and logistics markets. Based in Mumbai, Danish Cutleriwala will lead Chapman Freeborn’s operations in India, with a focus on driving commercial growth across cargo and passenger charter services, while expanding the company’s footprint through strategic partnerships and enhanced customer engagement. He joins Chapman Freeborn from Sciens Logistics, where he served as Country Manager, APAC & Middle East. “India is a strategically important market for Chapman Freeborn, offering significant opportunities for growth across both cargo and passenger charter services. Danish’s extensive industry expertise, strong commercial acumen and deep understanding of the regional market make him ideally positioned to lead our operations in India and support our long-term expansion plans.” – said Linas Dovydenas, President – IMEA at Chapman Freeborn “I am excited to join Chapman Freeborn at a time of strong global growth for the business. India presents immense potential, and I look forward to working with the team to strengthen our market presence, build strategic partnerships and deliver tailored charter solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers.” – adds Danish Cutleriwala, Country Manager India at Chapman Freeborn.

Sao Paulo, Brazil, 13th April, 2026: Embraer’s board of directors has appointed Felipe Santana Santiago de Lima as Executive Vice President, Finance and Investor Relations, effective April 13. He currently serves as Embraer’s global director of treasury and has spent 18 years at the company, holding leadership roles across financial operations, treasury, insurance, customer finance and shared services. During his career, he has developed deep expertise in corporate finance and treasury, with significant exposure to capital markets, liability management, aircraft financing, investor and bank relations, and risk management, supporting strategic decision making and long term value creation. Felipe Santana holds a degree in International Relations from Fundação Escola de Comércio Álvares Penteado (FECAP) and a Certified Financial Management (CFM) credential from Insper. He has completed executive education programs at Fundação Dom Cabral, Harvard University, and Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV). In 2022, he was named one of the “20 Finance Leaders to Watch” by the Finance Career Perspective Yearbook (Insper and Assetz). The company said the appointment ensures continuity in its financial leadership and supports the execution of its strategy and business plan. “Felipe Santana is a highly respected leader within Embraer and has been developed for senior leadership roles,” said Francisco Gomes Neto, president and CEO of Embraer. “His appointment reinforces our confidence in the company’s strategy and our focus on sustainable growth.”

Mumbai, April 10, 2026: Thomas Cook India has announced the elevation of Deepti Sheth as President & Group Head – Human Resources, reinforcing its focus on strengthening leadership and people strategy across the Group. In her new role, Deepti will lead the Group HR function, shaping the organisation’s people strategy with a focus on talent, leadership development and employee experience, while also advancing its diversity, inclusion and digital transformation agenda. Her elevation marks a significant milestone in a decade-long journey with the Group, during which she has played a pivotal role in strengthening HR frameworks and embedding people practices aligned to business growth. Deepti Sheth as President & Group Head – Human Resources at Thomas Cook (India) Limited said, “I am honoured to take on this role at an exciting phase for the Thomas Cook India Group. Our people remain at the heart of our success, and I look forward to building on our strong foundation—strengthening talent, enhancing employee development, and fostering a culture of innovation, inclusion and high performance. As we scale, our focus will be on building dynamic, future-ready teams, strengthening leadership capability and creating a differentiated employee experience that supports sustained growth.”

New Delhi, 2nd April 2026: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) gets the new Director General as Vir Vikram Yadav, a 1996-batch IAS officer. He replaced Faiz Ahmed Kidwai as part of a major bureaucratic reshuffle announced on March 31, 2026.The change was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet of the Govt. of India. Vir Vikram Yadav was posted as an Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Faiz Ahmed Kidwai has been moved to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) as Additional Secretary. “Shri Vir Vikram Yadav, IAS (OR:96), Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change as Director General, Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Civil Aviation in the rank and pay of Additional Secretary to the Government of India by keeping the Recruitment Rules of the post in abeyance vice Shri Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, IAS (MP:96) upon his appointment as Additional Secretary, Department of Personnel & Training. Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions,” the order read.

Astana, 1st April 2026: Air Astana Chief Financial Officer(CFO) Ibrahim Canliel who has been elevated in his role has assumed the airlines group as it new Chief Executive Officer.He has served as the airline’s CFO since 2017 and over the previous 14 years was a member of the leadership team that shaped the carrier’s strategic and financial development, which culminated in it becoming a UK and Kazakhstan publicly listed company in 2024. In the new CEO capacity , Ibrahim Canliel will focus on strengthening operational resilience, supporting sustainable growth and advancing the Group’s dual-brand strategy across Air Astana and FlyArystan. On his appointment Ibrahim Canliel stated, “I am delighted and feel privileged to take the helm as CEO of the Air Astana Group today. Whilst this is a significant milestone personally, it also provides continuity to all our 7,000 employees and stakeholders.” “The Air Astana Group is the clear leader in Central Asia and the Caucasus; not only from a fleet and passenger numbers perspective, but also in operational standards, service levels and international coverage. It is my commitment to protect and enhance our founding principles: ensuring the highest global operational, safety and services standards; preserving the utmost level of corporate governance; and maintaining commercial and financial independence.” “Our location, with almost half of the World’s population living in our vicinity, gives us a unique strategic advantage that we are committed to harness. I am excited to have the opportunity to write the next chapter of the success story and to further strengthen our position as the airline of choice for travel in our region.”

Europe, 17th March 2026: Chapman Freeborn has appointed Adnan Rahal as Senior Vice President of Business Aviation, strengthening the company’s global leadership in private aviation charter services. In his new role, Rahal will oversee the continued development of Chapman Freeborn’s business aviation division, supporting the company’s global strategy and expanding its capabilities in private jet charter solutions. He will work closely with regional teams to further enhance service delivery and strengthen relationships with clients and industry partners. “Adnan has played an important role in the development of our business aviation activities in the Americas and has consistently demonstrated strong leadership and deep industry expertise,” said Aniko Mersek, President – Americas at Chapman Freeborn. “In his new role as Senior Vice President of Business Aviation, he will continue to support the growth of our global private aviation offering and strengthen collaboration across our regional teams.” Prior to his promotion, Rahal served as Vice President of Business Aviation – Americas, where he was responsible for developing the company’s business aviation activities across the region and strengthening its presence in key markets. During this time, he contributed to the growth of Chapman Freeborn’s private aviation services and supported the delivery of complex charter operations for clients across the Americas. “I am very pleased to take on this new role and continue contributing to the development of Chapman Freeborn’s global business aviation services,” said Adnan Rahal, Senior Vice President of Business Aviation at Chapman Freeborn. “Our team remains focused on delivering flexible, high-quality charter solutions to clients worldwide, and I look forward to working closely with our colleagues and partners to further expand our capabilities in the private aviation sector.”

Since 2014, Indian aviation has undergone a decisive transformation. Connectivity has expanded rapidly, infrastructure has scaled up beyond metropolitan hubs, and airports have evolved into world-class, experience-driven spaces. And in this defining moment, Rajiv Srivastava stands alone in documenting India’s aviation renaissance with unmatched depth, patience, and sensitivity. Working at the intersection of aviation, architecture, landscape, and visual storytelling, Rajiv’s photography captures more than aircraft and terminals. His images reveal how aviation infrastructure mirrors a nation in motion, its aspirations, cultural identity, and relationship with landscape. Rajiv’s journey into photography did not begin in a conventional classroom. He started his professional life as a cricketer before discovering his calling behind the camera. Over the last two decades, his work has spanned street photography, fashion, sports, landscapes, and documentary film-making. Early in his career, he assisted renowned fashion photographer Tarun Vishwa, where he developed technical discipline and a refined understanding of light and composition. Yet, even during his years in fashion, his instinct leaned toward expansive spaces and environments that tell larger stories. That instinct found its strongest expression in aviation photography. The roots of this passion trace back to Rajiv’s childhood in Arunachal Pradesh, where aviation was not an abstraction but a lifeline. Surrounded by mountains, rivers, dense forests, and remote airstrips, he grew up witnessing how air connectivity shaped everyday life. A formative helicopter ride with father during his school years proved pivotal. Seeing runways, valleys, and waterfalls from the air left an enduring imprint, one that would later define his professional path. Encouraged by his mother to observe the world closely, Rajiv developed a way of seeing that remains central to his work. What distinguishes Rajiv’s aviation photography is his perspective. He does not merely document aircraft or terminal façades; he studies airports as living spaces. For him, an airport is the first narrative of a region, a gateway into its culture, geography, and ambition. His photographs highlight architectural rhythm, natural and artificial light, spatial flow, public art, and human movement. Bamboo-inspired columns, soaring glass façades, regional motifs, and quiet transitional moments find equal place in his frames. Photographing airports, however, is rarely straightforward. Security protocols, complex lighting conditions, and uninterrupted operations leave little room for error. Often, Rajiv has just a single day to capture an entire terminal. Years of experience allow him to anticipate light, angles, and fleeting moments, resulting in images that feel both precise and alive. His background in landscape photography plays a critical role here. Rajiv is particularly drawn to airports set within dramatic natural contexts, whether in the Himalayas, along coastlines, or across open plains. By situating terminals within their surrounding terrain, he creates a visual dialogue between infrastructure and nature. This sensibility has also led to over 20 solo and group landscape photography exhibitions across India, where he has shared platforms with eminent photographers such as Raghu Rai and Samar Jodha, firmly establishing his reputation beyond aviation circles. Rajiv’s work has received national recognition. His photographs feature in landmark coffee table books such as 100 Airports for New India, released by the Honourable Prime Minister in 2018, and Kala Sankalan, released by the Honourable Minister of Civil Aviation. These publications celebrate India’s aviation growth through design, culture, and visual narrative rather than numbers alone. One defining moment came at Pakyong Airport in Sikkim. Battling dense fog, rain, and visibility windows as short as 10–20 minutes, Rajiv persisted. His images, dramatically framing the airport against the Himalayan landscape, went viral internationally even before inauguration, appearing in CNN, BBC, Vogue, and Condé Nast Traveller. The moment became historic when the Honourable Prime Minister referenced those very images during the airport’s inauguration. Today, with over nine years dedicated specifically to aviation photography and filmmaking, Rajiv continues to document India’s evolving skies. From UDAN-activated regional airstrips to architecturally ambitious terminals like the new Guwahati Airport, inspired by Assam’s natural and cultural heritage, his work captures a sector redefining itself. Beyond aviation, Rajiv is currently working on a coffee table book on Varanasi, his hometown, exploring its ghats, rituals, architecture, and everyday life. Whether photographing an ancient city or a modern terminal, his lens remains committed to preserving stories of place, progress, and identity. Through Rajiv Srivastava’s photography, India’s airports are no longer just transit points. They are narratives of ambition, culture, and connection etched in light, steel, landscape, and sky. ( Pix Courtesy: Rajiv Srivastava) 

Almaty,19th February 2026: Air Astana Group has announced the appointment of Johan Eidhagen as the President of FlyArystan, the Group’s low-cost airline, effective 1 March 2026. He joins from Wizz Air where he held several senior roles, including most recently that of the Managing Director of Wizz Air, Abu Dhabi. During his time at Wizz Air, he was also the Chief People & ESG Officer and the Chief Marketing Officer at Wizz Air Group. Prior to Wizz Air, Johan spent fourteen years with Nokia in a range of senior executive positions across multiple jurisdictions. Johan replaces Richard Ledger, who will now move to a newly created senior executive position in the Air Astana Group as Vice President, Partnerships and Alliances. Codeshare agreements, including those signed recently with China Southern Airlines and Air India, are vital to our evolving international presence. Richard will support and develop these opportunities which give us access to huge markets in our region. Air Astana CEO, Peter Foster commented: “With several years in senior roles at Wizz Air, leading the People, ESG and Marketing initiatives, Johan has the experience and low-cost airline background to ensure we capitalise on the high growth potential of FlyArystan. Technological innovation has been central to FlyArystan delivering a high-quality service while balancing cost and comfort, and those efforts will be reinvigorated with Johan at the helm. I am confident that with Johan’s leadership, FlyArystan will further dominate in the region and beyond. We are grateful to Richard, who will now transition to the role of Vice President, Partnerships and Alliances to grow our Enhanced Strategic Partnerships which form a central pillar of our ambitious growth strategy. Together with Ibrahim, who in April will become CEO, and Gonçalo Pires, who will join as CFO in March, I am confident that the Air Astana Group will continue to successfully execute its ambitious long-term growth strategy.”

Wessling, February 03, 2026: Deutsche Aircraft has announced the appointment of Anastasija Visnakova as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). In this role, she will oversee the company’s global commercial activities, including sales, marketing, communications, customer service and aftermarket. Anastasija has spent more than three years as Vice President Sales and Marketing, where she played a central role in strengthening Deutsche Aircraft’s commercial presence, building customer relationships and supporting the successful market introduction of the D328eco®. Her appointment reflects the continued growth of the company as it moves closer to industrialisation and entry into service. As a member of the Executive Committee, Anastasija will lead a unified commercial organisation focused on the entire customer journey, from first contact and aircraft acquisition to entry-into-service, daily operations support and long-term aftermarket care. Concentrating these functions under one leadership role creates clear revenue accountability and ensures a consistent, customer-focused approach across all markets. “I am honoured to take on the role of Chief Commercial Officer at such an important moment for Deutsche Aircraft,” said Anastasija Visnakova. “With the D328eco approaching entry into service, our priority is to deliver a seamless customer experience and build strong, lasting partnerships. I look forward to working closely with our teams and our global community of operators as we continue to grow.” “Anastasija’s appointment as Chief Commercial Officer is a natural and well-deserved step,” said Nico Neumann, Chief Executive Officer of Deutsche Aircraft. “She has been instrumental in shaping our commercial strategy and strengthening engagement with customers. Aligning sales, marketing, communications, customer service and aftermarket under her leadership reinforces clear ownership of the full commercial and customer cycle as we prepare for our next phase of development.” Anastasija brings extensive international experience across the airline and aerospace sectors, with a strong record in commercial strategy, sales leadership, customer partnerships and market development. This appointment highlights Deutsche Aircraft’s commitment to building a strong executive team as it prepares for the industrialisation and entry into service of the D328eco.