This decision was made during the Panel’s meeting held at ICAO Headquarters in Montréal, Canada, on 7 April 2025, in the presence of ICAO Secretariat representatives and technical officers of the Panel.

The ICAO Aviation Security Panel includes 33 experts representing 193 Member States of the Organization.

Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Chairman of the GCAA Board, said: "Al Muhairi’s re-election is a testament to the UAE’s growing influence and reputation in the global civil aviation sector. It reinforces the international community’s confidence in our national talents and their ability to contribute meaningfully to global aviation safety and security."

Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director general of the GCAA, said: "This achievement reflects the UAE’s strong commitment to actively contributing to the development of the global civil aviation security system. It also reaffirms the country’s position as an influential partner in shaping international aviation policies and as a leading hub for the exchange of best practices and expertise with partners from around the world."

Just seven years old, flyadeal has been catapulted into the region’s fastest growing LCC currently operating a modern fleet of 38 aircraft to 30 seasonal and year-round destinations in Saudi Arabia, Middle East, Europe, North Africa and South Asia.

Van Enk said: “It’s a wonderful opportunity to join flyadeal that has ambitious, yet realistic growth targets fully aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 of building a dynamic aviation and tourism industry. With one new route being launched, on average, every two weeks this year and a domestic and international network that will triple to over 100 destinations by 2030, what an opportune time to be part of an exciting young airline that’s maturing very fast.

“I’ve already seen flyadeal’s energy and enthusiasm with a team which is commercially and operationally focused on reaching its goal driven with passion. As Saudi Arabia takes centre stage in Middle East aviation, I very much look forward to working alongside new colleagues and contributing to the continued growth of flyadeal bringing a rewarding experience gained at both Finnair and British Airways to my new role.”

He added: “On a personal level, I’m excited about the move to Saudi Arabia with my young family, looking forward to enjoying the country’s rich cultural heritage, the nation’s diversity and, as a foodie, the wonderful cuisine. More importantly, meet, engage and interact with amazing people in the Kingdom.”

Steven Greenway, flyadeal Chief Executive Officer, said: “On behalf of the team here at flyadeal, a great pleasure to welcome Rogier onboard. His experience working across many commercial and customer functions within full-service airlines in Europe made him the ideal appointment to take flyadeal’s commercial helm and bring his expertise into a low-cost environment.

“Rogier’s deep insights and knowledge gained in the digital space at Finnair and British Airways will contribute towards flyadeal’s continued mandate to remain digitally driven keeping both costs low and fares extremely competitive. My thanks to Trevor Spinks in his advisory role steering the commercial ship at flyadeal over the past 12 months during which flyadeal secured significant achievements. Having made great progress, we look to keep up the momentum with Rogier taking over at a time of unprecedented expansion.”

During his two spells in a 12-year career at Finnair based in Helsinki, Van Enk held several commercial roles covering revenue management, distribution, online sales, business analytics and ancillary product development. He joins flyadeal after four years as Finnair’s Senior Vice President Customer Engagement responsible for, among others, brand, marketing, and loyalty business. He was also formerly Head of Distribution and Payments at British Airways in London.

The award is granted by ICAO in recognition of outstanding contributions to international civil aviation. 

Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), said: "We are proud of the selection of Saeed Mohammed Al Suwaidi as a member of the Edward Warner Award Committee, one of the most prestigious aviation awards in the world. The selection of the UAE’s representative for this role is yet another testament to the country’s leading position in international civil aviation and the global confidence in Emirati expertise and talent." 

Al Suwaidi said: "I am honoured to join the Edward Warner Award Committee and contribute to recognising individuals and institutions that have made a profound impact on international civil aviation. I look forward to working alongside my fellow committee members to support this prestigious award and promote excellence in the sector."

Pearce joins the Group with extensive experience in the aviation industry, having spent his entire career in various roles across airliner and business jet operations, sales, acquisitions, aircraft management and aircraft maintenance.

Holger Ostheimer, managing director of DC Aviation Al-Futtaim, said: “At DC Aviation Group, he will bring his wealth of knowledge to drive business growth in the aviation maintenance and MRO services sector and expand the company’s technical services, to include the provision of line and base maintenance at its stations in Germany and the UAE as well as technical inspection, PPI and consultancy for new and pre-owned aircraft.

“We are delighted to welcome Andrew to DC Aviation Group. His extensive experience across all facets of the aviation industry, from flight operations and aircraft sales to maintenance and MRO services, makes him an invaluable asset to our team. Andrew’s deep understanding of the market and his proven track record of success will be instrumental in expanding our maintenance business and further solidifying our position as a leading provider of comprehensive aviation solutions.”

The event was marked by flight operations entirely managed by women— from catering, Maintenance, and check-in to lounge services, and flight operations.

These all-women-operated flights depart from Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar, Athens,

Delhi, Dubai, Windhoek, and Sao Polo, showcasing a significant milestone in Ethiopian Airlines' ongoing efforts to elevate the presence and participation of women in the aviation industry.

Ethiopian Airlines CEO, Mesfin Tasew, said: “We are thrilled to celebrate March 8, as we do every year at Ethiopian Airlines. As an employer of choice, we are deeply committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within the aviation industry and the broader community. In today’s modern aviation landscape, women play an indispensable role across all sectors, significantly contributing to the industry's dynamic growth. Today, we honour the remarkable achievements of women in aviation and beyond, while also inspiring future generations to pursue their dreams without limitations.”

Women currently make up around 40% of Ethiopian Airlines' workforce across a range of business divisions, including cockpit crew, cabin crew, aircraft technicians, commercial, managerial roles, and others.

Lamola has been at the helm at SAA as interim CEO since May 2022.

SAA board interim chairperson, Derek Hanekom said: “The SAA Board is delighted to be able to appoint a solid and dedicated leader well versed in SAA’s fortunes and eager to continue overseeing its take-off into better skies.”

He added: “Professor Lamola can now continue growing SAA with confidence, knowing that he has the full support of the SAA Board and its shareholders. We congratulate him on his appointment and wish him well in his leadership of SAA.”

“Liberalisation of Africa’s air transport industry, as envisioned through the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), is not just an aspirational goal — it is an economic necessity. A unified African sky, underpinned by the Joint Prioritised Action Plan (JPAP), promises to reduce travel costs for passengers, enhance connectivity, and catalyse economic growth and cultural exchange across the continent. The success of this initiative hinges on the active support and collaboration of governments, airlines and aircraft manufacturers such as Boeing.

The need for SAATM stems from longstanding challenges in Africa’s aviation sector: limited intra-African connectivity, high travel costs, fragmented regulations, constrained aircraft financing, and underdeveloped aviation infrastructure. These barriers have confined trade, tourism, economic and social integration for decades.

Aircraft manufacturers have a responsibility to help address these issues through policy engagement, partnerships, capacity building, and technology. We take pride in our role not just as fleet suppliers but critical enablers of the ecosystem and skills that Africa’s aviation industry needs to thrive.

Significant progress has already been achieved; 37 African countries, representing over 80% of the continent’s aviation market, have joined the SAATM initiative. Key regulatory frameworks are in place, including those for fair competition and consumer protection. Capacity-building programs for aviation professionals and improvements in safety standards are now aligned with international benchmarks.

However, to unlock SAATM's full potential, sustained efforts are needed to address lingering challenges such as high operational costs, infrastructure gaps, and protectionist policies. Boeing is committed to contribute meaningfully in this regard.

Collaboration is a major lever. Aircraft manufacturers partner with governments and regional bodies to highlight the benefits of a liberalised air transport market. As an example, Boeing is an active participant in the African Aviation Industry Group. The group encourages more countries to commit to SAATM and work towards harmonising regulatory standards, creating a more unified and efficient aviation ecosystem in Africa.

Air safety is one more area of collaboration across the continent. Aircraft manufacturers including Boeing support African countries in achieving the international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and help enhance regional air safety working closely with airlines and organisations like African Airlines Association (AFRAA).

Fleet modernisation is another key area where aircraft manufacturers can make a significant impact. Partnering with African airlines helps renew fleets with fuel-efficient and versatile aircraft designed to meet the continent's unique operational requirements. Modernised fleets reduce operational costs and emissions and make air travel more competitive, accessible, and sustainable, a critical factor for the success of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).

Capacity building is another essential contribution. Training programs for pilots, engineers, airline management, and other aviation professionals are vital to supporting the sector’s rapid growth and elevating passenger experience. Aircraft manufacturers, with their expertise and resources, are well-positioned to deliver world-class training and share best practices – and we are spearheading these efforts. Additionally, community engagement programs for African youth provide systemic improvement in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) education and economic empowerment, directly feeding the talent pipeline. All these initiatives equip Africa’s aviation workforce with the skills needed to ensure a robust, safe and capable industry.

Finally, infrastructure enhancement is another important building block to SAATM. By providing counsel and data-driven analytics, aircraft manufacturers can assist in modernising airports and air traffic management systems. This ensures the infrastructure is prepared to handle the anticipated increase in air traffic, enhancing safety and facilitating smoother, more efficient operations across the continent.

A fully realised SAATM will enable seamless travel and economic growth, fostering unity, and positioning Africa as a competitive player in the global aviation industry. The collaborative efforts of the African Union Commission and its implementing agency, the African Civil Aviation Commission, national governments, civil aviation authorities, the African Development Bank, African Airlines Association, airlines, and aircraft manufacturers through the Joint Prioritised Action Plan in support of SAATM are pivotal in achieving this vision.

Working together, we can ensure Africa’s aviation renaissance and the realisation of the African Union vision, Agenda 2063: an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.”

The appointment follows his previous role as President of Airbus for Africa & Middle East, a position he held since January 2017.

Houari brings over 30 years of global and regional industry expertise, including nearly two decades at Airbus, where his leadership has been pivotal in driving success across key markets in the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. In his new role, Houari will oversee Airbus’ operations across all divisions in Qatar, serving as the company’s primary representative to customers and key stakeholders, while supporting the country’s growth ambitions.

iGA Holding, the parent company of iGA Istanbul Airport, has appointed Atalay Gümrah as its new chief executive officer (CEO).

Gümrah will officially assume his position on January 15th, 2025.

Dovydenas previously spent 16 years at Chapman Freeborn’s parent company, Avia Solutions Group, in both Chief Executive Officer and Chief Commercial Officer roles before joining the charter broker in 2022.

“From 2007 until 2023 Linas played an integral part in almost all of Avia Solutions Group’s group companies’ development and geographical expansion, so he is exceptionally placed to step into the role of President, IMEA, at Chapman Freeborn and turn his attention to accelerating our growth in the region,” said Eric Erbacher, Group CEO, Chapman Freeborn.

Prior to the appointment, which takes immediate effect, Dovydenas was Executive VP, ACMI Leasing, Chapman Freeborn.

“I look forward to working with the IMEA team and driving growth throughout the region,” said Dovydenas.

“Chapman Freeborn is an exceptional company, and it will be a privilege to oversee further expansion at such an exciting time in the industry.”