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PALLAVI VIMAL JOSHI,CO-FOUNDER & CEO, AIRFLEET MANAGERS AirFleet Managers is one of the leading Aviation technical consultant companies in the region having its presence since 2010. Today, it is known as the most preferred partner in aviation asset management across the globe. Aviation World takes this opportunity in featuring exclusive Interview of Pallavi Vimal Joshi, Co-Founder & CEO, Air Fleet Managers, who is revered as the “The Woman at the Helm of Aviation Asset Management”. Excerpts… Q: Hi Pallavi, for our readers would you please introduce yourself, and also briefly talk about your future goals before we get into the details of your career. A : My aviation career took off as a trainee with one of India’s oldest MROs, where I laid the foundation for my future success. I then joined Indian Airlines’ engineering quality department, gaining invaluable insights into airline operations from engineering perspective. As I progressed in my career, I took on the role of Quality Manager at an upcoming organization, further expanding my expertise. It was during this time that I discovered my true calling: aviation asset management. The dynamics of this field fascinated me, and I knew I had found my niche. In 2010, I identified a significant gap in the Indian market for aviation asset management services. This realization led to the inception of AirFleet Managers. Since then, our team has worked tirelessly to deliver tailored, top-notch services to our esteemed clients. Today, we take pride in our remarkable journey, from a single subcontract in 2010 to over 23 satisfied clients by 2024. Our team’s dedication, smart work, and perseverance have earned us the reputation as the most preferred partner in aviation asset management. We’re honored to be known as the ‘Dependable Team’ – a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence and client satisfaction. As of now for the future, we are gearing up by embracing the latest technology and developing our in-house software like DARTS, AFM Vault and the latest addition to the suite supercharged with AI is Aviaginie. Looking ahead, our goal is to consistently deliver an exceptional range of services to our clients, leveraging the latest technological advancements to ensure optimal performance and becoming a one-stop shop for the current as well as future demands. Q: Aviation asset management is a dynamic and complex field. Can you walk us through the range of services your firm offers and how do they contribute to managing the client’s aircraft assets effectively? A: Since the inception of AirFleet Managers in 2010, we have worked rigorously as a team to expand and grow the range of services we provide to our esteemed clients. During these 15 years and after successfully working with 22+ clients from all around the world, we have built a comprehensive set of services including: * Aircraft Pre-Purchase Inspection * Aircraft Records Digitization and Management * Aircraft Delivery/Redelivery * Engine & APU Management * Shop Visit Management * Heavy Checks Supervisory * Borescope (DGCA 145 and Nepal CAA 145 approved) * Maintenance Reserve Claims Management We are proud about being the first stand-alone organisation to get DGCA 145 and Nepal CAA 145 approval allowing us to add the Borescope services to the already wide ranged set of services we offer. We were by no means able to achieve this feat overnight, with 29+ engines already under our engine management expertise, the recent certifications helped streamline our client experience. Efficiency is one of the core pillars for us over at AFM. For the past decade, we have been working on setting up effective communication, organizing and operational systems in place, in comes the AFM suite of our in-house software. DARTS: A cutting-edge project management platform designed to optimize workflows and ensure seamless execution of projects. DARTS becomes a central hub for communication keeping our clients updated with progress on all active projects 24×7. This project management software helps the team to maintain a precise structure while reporting a breeze for our technical representatives. AFM Vault: An encrypted and reliable archiving solution, providing a safe environment for storing and managing critical records while also being able to share them with all the stakeholders involved. Imagine a Dropbox or a google drive, but for aircraft records. Aviaginie: An AI-driven tool that streamlines the management of Continued Airworthiness Management Organization (CAMO) processes with enhanced precision and utmost accuracy. Data driven statistics and predictions allow the users to make informed decisions, striving for superior efficiency and minimal workload. We as a team are currently also working on making physical records more streamlined by incorporating a Phygital (physical & digital) approach into records management. Allowing the record handlers to handle the records in more simplified. This will not only make operations efficient but also reduce the amount of stress on manpower. Q: Aviation operates on a global scale. Could you share insights into the geographical scope of your operations, and the key stakeholders—such as airlines, lessors, and financial institutions—that benefit from your services? A: As rightly said by you, aviation operates on a global scale and that is the beauty of it. We have successfully delivered world class services in 60+ countries as of the Q1 in 2025, this was only possible by joint effort of the versatile and “Dependable Team” that we have been able to form. With our first office in Delhi, India in 2010 we have had to expand our arms periodically due to our ever-growing client base &expertise. In 2017, we inaugurated our first foreign land office in Singapore to cater to all our Asian clients as this office also allowed to stay well connected to the entire region. Harnessing this momentum we also opened our doors in Dublin, Ireland in 2019 serving the European region and in 2023 we expanded our Asia presence with another office in Malaysia. This network of offices allows us to call the world our home, with professionals always ready to travel, no corner of this world is unreachable for “The Dependable Team”. At AirFleet Managers our

Lithuania, 4th December 2024: The global pilot shortage remains one of the most pressing challenges facing the aviation industry today. Companies across the sector are actively seeking ways to secure a steady pipeline of skilled pilots. In this context, Avion Express, a global leading ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, Insurance) operator, proudly announces a significant milestone: in partnership with Pilot Training Academies, the company celebrates that 50 cadets were released as First Officers with the Company this year. Laura Macutkevic, Vice President People and Culture at Avion Express, emphasized the vital role airlines play in the career paths of new pilots, stating: “The journey to becoming a professional pilot is rigorous, and airlines have a responsibility to invest time and resources to make this pathway more efficient and accessible. At Avion Express, we recognize that our ambitions for growth rely heavily on our flight crew. That’s why we focus on developing effective training programs for all our pilots and fostering strong partnerships with training academies to smooth the transition for cadets into active flying roles.” Macutkevic also highlighted the collaborative efforts behind this milestone, specifically the partnerships with BAA Training and Eagle Jet. “Partnerships with pilot training academies are as important as our internal efforts,” Macutkevic explained. “As part of the Avia Solutions Group, which encompasses diverse aviation services, including pilot training, we leverage unique synergies to create even greater opportunities for cadets. Our collaboration with BAA Training, for instance, allows us to streamline the training process and deliver results that benefit both pilots and airlines. We are proud to see so many new pilots turning into First Officers and joining Avion Express this year.” Avion Express also highlighted that those 50 cadets transitioning into First Officers before the end of the year is a significant achievement, but for 2025, the Company plans to keep going in the same direction. “When we set the goal of transitioning 50 cadets into First Officers last year, it seemed very ambitious. But from today’s perspective, and given our growth, we expect even more next year. Speaking about the pilot upgrade processes at the Company overall, it’s important to note that we’ve also seen 18 First Officers move on to become Senior First Officers, and 16 First Officers advance to the rank of Captain this year”,- shares L. Macutkevic. Avion Express became the first ACMI operator this year to have a simulator exclusively dedicated to its needs, in partnership with BAA Training and according to Laura this advanced training infrastructure ensures consistent quality and efficiency.

New Delhi, November 26, 2024: Women in Aviation India (WAI) held its 3rd edition of the iconic Awards – Giving Wings to Dreams 2024 in Delhi,felicitating 37 women achievers who have contributed significantly to the aviation sector. The award ceremony had presence of Vumlunmang Vualnam, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India and others including Usha Padhee, IAS, Principal Secretary, Commerce & Transport Dept., Govt. of Odisha and Vipin Kumar, IAS – Chairman AAI. These Awards recognize excellence in diverse fields of aviation and help build a value chain where achievers inspire the next generation. Following a thorough selection process, led by an eminent jury comprising of stalwarts of the industry, successful women aviators across categories of airside operations, terminal operations, ground support, flight dispatchers, airline security, fire rescue, engineering, communication, cabin crew and flight operations were felicitated at the award ceremony. Women achievers from nodal aviation authorities BCAS, DGCA, CISF and Pawan Hans were also recognized for service excellence. “At the Ministry of Civil Aviation it is a very satisfying moment for us to see this initiative of Women in Aviation India being applauded by our honourable president and prime minister. Through our collaboration with WAI, we are helping women break barriers and are empowering them to lead in this fast-growing sector. India’s aviation infrastructure has expanded exponentially, with the number of airports more than doubling from 74 to 157 over the past decade. Passenger numbers have surged from 11 crore to 22 crore annually, and the aircraft fleet has grown from 400 to 800, with projections to reach 1,400 within five years. So there is an immense opportunity for women in the aviation sector and to become part of this growth story,” said Civil Aviation Secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam. He underscored the government’s dedication to integrating women into the expanding drone industry, linking this initiative to the broader transformation underway in India’s aviation sector. He further praised the contributions of women pioneers of the sector who have already paved the way in aviation, urging them to harness emerging opportunities in the drone sector, regional airlines and emerging areas of the aviation ecosystem. The Secretary emphasized that women’s participation is key to sustaining the momentum of growth, making them indispensable to the future of aviation in India. Speaking on the occasion,Radha Bhatia, President, Women in Aviation India said, “India today is shining on the world stage! It is time for all forces to unite, especially to inspire and encourage the next generation of young girls and women to be a part of this thriving industry. While India has the largest number of women pilots in the world, we are rooting for equanimous growth across all verticals of aviation! In this relentless pursuit of our mission, we are reaching out to remote corners of the country to inspire and encourage young girls to join the aviation industry. Many of these girls have never seen an aircraft or have never been exposed to the world of aviation. Through these awards we aspire to felicitate outstanding achievers, who pass on the baton to the next generation! This whirlwind is what we hope will someday nurture leaders of the aviation industry tomorrow!” Giving Wings to Dreams Awards are a grand culmination of a series of Girls in Aviation Day programs supported by state governments, airports, schools, colleges and other stakeholders, celebrated across 14 cities in India, reaching beyond metros such as Delhi and Mumbai to cities including Srinagar, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Leh, Bhubaneswar, Agra, Dehradun, Odisha and Srikakulam. Through the Girls in Aviation Day series this year, under the theme ‘Chhu Lengi Aasman Bharat Ki Betiyan’, WAI reached out to a large number of girl students from the 11th and 12th grades wherein we invited aviation experts, aviation institutions, corporate entities, students and academic institutions to come together to be a part of this mission as a CSR initiative. Shri Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Hon’ble Minister of Civil Aviation, Government of India, graced the program in Srikakulam, his constituency where he inspired and encouraged the young girl students, sharing his vision of writing a golden chapter of aviation. He shared that he hopes the initiative will highlight the possibilities of women in the aviation sector, encourage them more, and will bring new excitement to North Andhra girls. The Hon’ble Minister wholeheartedly congratulated Smt. Radha Bhatia, founder of Women in Aviation India and members who are conducting awareness camps across the country. For over nine years ‘Girls in Aviation Day’ (GIAD) has been celebrated across 30 cities in India, touching the lives of more than 30,000 girls in person and multi fold otherwise. As part of WAI’s core initiatives, it connects with NGOs, schools, colleges and universities to mentor girl students, especially in middle & senior school, an age when students begin to plan their careers. Stalwarts of the aviation industry meet and engage with the young students both from the privileged and underprivileged sections of society and share with them their experiences, challenges and victories, and talk to them about the various path breaking roles that women are playing in the aviation industry. Wherever required, we extend free education to girl students who cannot afford a professional education. For the GIAD campaign, we collaborate with various organizations, airlines and other stakeholders of the industry such as Commerce & Transport Department & School and Mass Education Dept., Govt. of Odisha, NSTI, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, DGT, GoI, Blue Dart Aviation Services Ltd., Millennium Aero Dynamics Pvt. Ltd, Airports Authority of India, GMR and airports like Bangalore International Airport Ltd. (BIAL), GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL), Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), Chennai International Airport, Bagdogra International Airport, Chandigarh Airport with an objective to fulfil the mission of reaching out to as many girls students as possible. Taking another step towards encouraging the young girls to explore the various avenues in Aviation, 35 selected school girls who had attended Girls in Aviation Day events held across the country in 2024 were also rewarded

Geneva, 28th October 2024: SITA has announced the appointment of Nathalie Altwegg as Senior Vice President of SITA’s Airports business unit. Altwegg will spearhead SITA’s further growth in the airports market, building on the company’s presence in more than 1,000 airports globally, as well as its drive to reinvent and digitalize operations and journeys across the world through cutting edge technology and innovation. Altwegg comes to her new role after serving as Chief Operating Officer for SITA Europe for two years, bringing extensive management experience in strategy, commercial, people, and portfolio. With over two decades of experience in the air transport industry, Altwegg has gained deep understanding of the airports business, along with expertise in the areas of M&A, IT outsourcing, and business development of all sizes, including large and complex business opportunities. Altwegg said: “We’re world leaders in the airport market, focusing on the future of our thousands of airport, airline and ground handler customers across the world. We’re bringing great changes as we reinvent journeys and processes to deliver the ultimate travel experience with the most advanced, efficient and sustainable technologies. Our Airports business is a jewel in the industry and I can’t wait to steer it into the future.” David Lavorel, CEO SITA, said: “It’s wonderful to be welcoming Nathalie to the executive team as a hugely experienced SITA expert with great insights into how to take our Airports business forward. Her knowledge and leadership will be of great value to our airport customers of all sizes right across the world.”

Tel Aviv, 31st July 2024: Israel Aerospace Industries, a world-class aerospace and defense leader, has appointed Dror Bar as IAI Vice President and CEO of ELTA. Bar was identified as the most suitable candidate after a long and rigorous search procedure was carried out in accordance with the procedure for appointing a CEO in government-owned companies. ELTA’s board of directors, headed by IAI’s CEO Boaz Levy, has unanimously decided to adopt the recommendation of the search committee, headed by IAI Chairman Amir Peretz, and appointed Dror Bar to serve as IAI’s VP and CEO of ELTA. The appointment is subject to the approval of the Appointments Review Committee, Israel’s Minister of Defense, and the Minister for Regional Cooperation who heads the Government Companies Authority. Prior to those approvals, the appointment will be considered temporary.

03 June 2024,Dubai: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, has assumed his duties as Chair of the IATA Board of Governors (BoG). His one-year term began at the conclusion of the 80th IATA Annual General Meeting in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on 3 June. Elbers is the 82nd Chair of the IATA BoG. He served earlier on the BoG between 2016 and 2022 as KLM’s President and CEO and was reappointed to the Board in 2022 shortly after he became IndiGo’s CEO. He succeeds RwandAir CEO Yvonne Manzi Makolo who will continue to serve on the BoG. “It is indeed an honor to assume this role at a time when India is emerging as one of the world’s largest and fastest growing civil aviation markets and evolving into a formidable force in the airline industry. Adhering to IATA’s legacy of aviation as a force for good, we will continue in our focus of highlighting the benefits of aviation in building connections, augmenting trade, tourism and mobility—benefits also so visible in India. At the same time, it is imperative that we persist in our commitment towards a more diverse, equitable and inclusive and also more sustainable aviation industry, creating positive change for generations to come. IATA plays a pivotal role in establishing global standards; I am eager to continue collaborating with global industry leaders, regulators, and stakeholders towards our collective goals,” said Elbers. Elbers has over 30 years of broad experience in the aviation industry. He has been CEO of IndiGo since September 2022 and has taken IndiGo on a journey of expansion and internationalization since. Prior to joining IndiGo, he served for eight years as President and CEO of KLM. He started his career at KLM in 1992 as Manager Aircraft Loading and has held various key executive positions with KLM in The Netherlands, Japan, Greece, and Italy. “I look forward to working with Pieter as we deliver the industry’s sustainability commitments, address supply chain challenges, and strengthen the global standards critical for our industry’s efficient connectivity. I also want to thank Yvonne for her strong support and leadership over the past year. She has helped us to firmly establish Focus Africa as a key initiative to expand aviation’s social and economic benefits on the continent. And, as our first female BoG Chair, Yvonne has been an inspiration for the 25by2025 initiative to improve aviation’s gender balance,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. Chair Elect and Board of Governors Appointments IATA announced Luis Gallego Martin, Chief Executive Officer, IAG (representing IBERIA), to serve as Chair of the BoG from June 2025, following Elbers’ term. IATA also published the full list of its 32 BoG members.

New Delhi, 16 April 2024, Finnair, the national airline of Finland has appointed Anupam Vig as the new General Manager for India, effective January 1, 2024. Anupam Vig has over two decades of experience in the airline industry and his expertise lies in developing and implementing innovative sales strategies that drive growth and expand market presence. Under his eadership,Finnair’s will look forward to provide top-notch service and connectivity to customers traveling from India to Finland and Nordic destinations. “I am delighted to have Anupam Vig lead our team in India. India continues to be an important market for Finnair,” says Jenni Suomela, Vice President, Global Sales and Channel Management, Finnair. “I am honored and excited to take on the role of General Manager for Finnair in India. Finnair, as a 100-year-old airline, has a rich legacy of providing exceptional service, and I am committed to contributing to its continued success and strengthening Finnair’s position as a preferred choice for travelers across India”, says Anupam Vig. Finnair India’s outgoing General Manager, Sakari Romu, has been instrumental in Finnair’s success in the region. As he takes on the role of General Manager for Japan, Finnair expresses gratitude for his contributions and welcomes Anupam Vig to lead the airline in India.

Kuwait, 5th March 2024: Jazeera Airways, Kuwait’s leading low-cost carrier, announced that the airline’s current Chief Executive Officer, Rohit Ramachandran, will be stepping down after over seven successful years with the organization. Barathan Pasupathi (Bara), a former CFO of Jazeera Airways, has been named the new Chief Executive Officer of Jazeera Airways effective 26 March 2024. Bara comes with over 30 years of experience in aviation, oil and gas, and supply chain management. His aviation industry experience spans key finance, management, and operations functions for airlines as well as aircraft procurement and leasing. Speaking about this management change, Marwan Boodai, Jazeera Airways Chairman said, “Rohit has been a strong, visionary and passionate leader, and a true champion of our brand and our people. He has led Jazeera in its enormous chapter of growth and delivered solid and robust results with a deep commitment to operational excellence while building shareholder value, which is deeply respected by industry peers. During his tenure and by forging strong strategic relationships with key stakeholders,supported by the strength of our outstanding Jazeera teams, Jazeera tripled its fleet. Under his leadership, the airline expanded into 65 destinations, hit record passenger volumes, achieved unsurpassed results, andinitiated a purpose built, profitable Jazeera Terminal 5. I am particularly grateful for the way Rohit helped navigate Jazeera through the pandemic, ensuring we are set up for future success. The business is now in a strong and resilient position and well placed to navigate the next chapter as we look towards the order book of 26 A320neo and A321neo aircraft. I would like to thank Rohit for his exceptional contribution to Jazeera over many years. Bara, a former Jazeera Airways CFO was instrumental in the setup of Sahaab Aircraft Leasing and served as its CFO from 2007 to 2010. He is a fantastic leader and joins Jazeera Airways with over three decades of aviation experience, including a deep knowledge of safety as well as operational and customer leadership especially in growing markets. Bara’s appointment provides continuity to the business and strong leadership to Jazeera Airways as we continue an exciting chapter of growth at the airline.” Prior to Jazeera Airways, Bara’s most recent role was CEO of Jetstar Asia, a Qantas Group airline based in Singapore for more than a decade. He was the founding CFO of Jetstar Asia in 2004 andserved as CFO at Jazeera Airways and Jazeera Airport Services Company (previously Sahaab Aircraft Leasing) from 2007 to 2010. Before that, he also headed the German independent oil trading group, Mabanaft in Singapore as Managing Director. Among his significant achievements are the acquisition and merger of Valuair in Singapore. Commenting on his departure, Rohit Ramachandran, outgoing Jazeera Airways CEO said: “It has been the privilege of a lifetime to lead Jazeera for the past seven years, and it is bittersweet to say goodbye to this airline that I love. Along with the team, I am proud of what we have accomplished and I feel very lucky to have worked at an airline with a culture and team unlike any other in the world. I will always feel part of the Jazeera team, and will be cheering for its continued success. As the outcome of a rigorous Board-mandated succession process, I am very confident that the appointment of Bara as CEO will ensure that Jazeera achieves new milestones in operational standards, customer experience, and growth. He is passionate about people and I know that the team will enjoy working with him.” Barathan Pasupathi, the incoming Jazeera Airways CEO highlighted:“Jazeera Airways is an incredible airline and I am exceptionally pleased to be joining Jazeera at an exciting chapter to leading its passionate and talented people as it pursues growth, strong performance and operational and customer excellence. My focus will be to continue the exciting journey that Jazeera has started, making travel accessibleand affordable in Kuwait and all the markets it serves while building capacity and constantly innovating to keep offering great low fares to amazing destinations across the region. I am looking forward to leading the Jazeera Airways team and continuing to deliver growth, great experiences for our customers and strong results for our shareholders.”