Avia Solutions Group Announces 2024 Appointment for Executive Vice Chairman of the Board

Irish-based Avia Solutions Group, the world’s largest ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) provider, has appointed Tom Klein as Executive Vice-Chairman of the Board, a new role, effective immediately.

He will continue in his roles as Senior Managing Director at US -based Certares Management, a private equity investment firm which invested into the Group in 2021.

Klein brings to the Group extensive knowledge of the global aviation, travel, tourism and technology sectors. His main responsibilities will include leading on investor relations and advising on wider business development while his geographic location will allow for executive presence and a greater focus on activities in the Americas.

The appointment comes at a time when Avia Solutions Group is growing significantly, with the Group reporting first half of 2024 revenues of €1.2 billion, a year-on-year increase of 29% and a 34% growth in EBITDA year-on-year to €179 million.

The Group has ongoing plans to further expand its global presence and ability to offer capacity solutions, particularly during peak seasons, to airlines around the world.

Gediminas Ziemelis, Chairman of Avia Solutions Group, said: “With his extensive experience in global aviation and travel sectors, and a proven track record in investor relations, Tom is a great addition to our senior leadership team. I look forward to working with him closely as we execute our long-term growth strategy.”

Tom Klein, Executive Vice-Chairman of the Board of Avia Solutions Group, said: “I am honoured to be appointed as Executive Vice-Chairman. The demand for the Group’s services is increasing significantly, and I look forward to playing a key role in expanding our global customer base.”

Prior to joining Certares in 2018, Klein was the CEO and President of Sabre, a global technology company serving the travel industry. Klein led the successful IPO of Sabre in 2014. He served 7 years as a founding board member of Brand USA, culminating his tenure as Chairman. Klein has served on multiple boards and prior to Sabre, he held management positions at American Airlines and Consolidated Freightways

Avia Solutions Group currently operates a fleet of 214-aircraft, split between 174 passenger aircraft and 40 freighters.

Source: Avia Solutions Group
Photo Credit: Avia Solutions Group

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eVTOL Developer Eve Air Mobility Selects Embraer-CAE Training Services as Training Partner

Melbourne, Florida, USA – Eve Air Mobility (Eve) (NYSE: EVEX; EVEXW) and Embraer-CAE Training Services (ECTS), a joint venture between Embraer (NYSE: ERJ; B3: EMBR3) and CAE Inc. (CAE) (NYSE: CAE), announced that ECTS has been selected as the training provider for Eve’s electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft pilots, maintenance technicians and ground handling personnel. The services will be part of the recently announced Eve TechCare, the company’s all-in-one service portfolio for eVTOLs.

“We are delighted to partner with Embraer-CAE Training Services, which will ensure pilots, maintenance technicians, and ground crew will receive top-notch training for safe and efficient operation of our eVTOL aircraft,” said Luiz Mauad, Vice President of Customer Services at Eve. “This partnership not only underscores our commitment to safety and operational excellence but also equips our and operators’ teams with the necessary skills to offer outstanding customer service.”

“We are excited to embark on this journey with Eve Air Mobility to usher in a new era of flight,” said Carlos Naufel, President & CEO Embraer Services & Support and ECTS Chairman. “As the training provider for Eve Air Mobility, ECTS will ensure pilots, maintenance technicians and ground personnel receive specialized training and acquire the skill and confidence to safely operate Eve’s eVTOL in and around the world’s busiest urban centres.”

“Safety will be essential to the adoption and growth of advanced air mobility (AAM), and highly trained personnel are key to safe operations,” said Alexandre Prevost, CAE’s Division President, Business Aviation Training and ECTS Board Member. “As part of the long-term agreement, CAE will be responsible for producing all equipment and courseware for pilot, maintenance, and ground handling training for Eve Air Mobility. CAE continues to make significant investments in AAM to deliver innovative and immersive products and training solutions that are specifically tailored to the industry and today’s learners.”

The joint venture between Embraer and CAE, established in 2007, began with a contract to provide pilot and ground crew training for Embraer’s Phenom 100 and Phenom 300 customers. Today, the JV operates nine full-flight simulators globally, with more slated for 2025. Earlier this year, it marked a significant milestone by launching the first E2 full-flight simulator in Asia, further strengthening its growth trajectory. Leveraging CAE’s extensive global network of training centers, ECTS ensures comprehensive training coverage, delivering the high-quality customer experience that has become a hallmark of its service.

Eve boasts the industry’s largest backlog with letters of intent (LOI) for 2,900 eVTOLs from 30 customers in 13 countries, representing a potential USD$14.5 billion in sales revenue. Its aircraft utilizes eight dedicated rotors for vertical flight and fixed wings to fly in cruise, with no change in the position of these components during flight. The concept includes an electric pusher powered by dual electric motors that provide propulsion redundancy to ensure the highest performance levels, safety, dispatch reliability, and low operation costs.

Eve takes advantage of Embraer’s 55 years of experience in designing, certifying, and manufacturing state-of-the-art aircraft. Its customers will also benefit from having access to an existing global service and support network, which is critical to ensuring reliable, safe, and efficient UAM operations.

About Eve Air Mobility
Eve Air Mobility is dedicated to accelerating the Urban Air Mobility ecosystem. Benefitting from a start-up mindset, backed by Embraer S.A.’s 55-year history of aerospace expertise, and with a singular focus, Eve is taking a holistic approach to progressing the UAM ecosystem, with an advanced eVTOL project, comprehensive global services and support network and a unique air traffic management solution. Since May 10, 2022, Eve is listed on the New York Stock Exchange where its shares of common stock and public warrants trade under the tickers “EVEX” and “EVEXW”.

About Embraer
Embraer is a global company headquartered in Brazil with businesses in commercial and executive aviation, and defense & security. The company designs, develops, manufactures, and markets aircraft and systems, providing customer support and services. Since it was founded in 1969, Embraer has delivered more than 9,000 aircraft. About every 10 seconds, an aircraft manufactured by Embraer takes off somewhere in the world, transporting over 150 million passengers a year. Embraer is the leading manufacturer of commercial jets up to 150 seats. The company maintains industrial units, offices, service and parts distribution centers, among other activities, across the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe.

About CAE
At CAE, we equip people in critical roles with the expertise and solutions to create a safer world. As a technology company, we digitalize the physical world, deploying software-based simulation training and critical operations support solutions. Above all else, we empower pilots, cabin crew, maintenance technicians, airlines, business aviation operators, and defence and security forces to perform at their best every day and when the stakes are the highest. Around the globe, we’re everywhere customers need us to be with approximately 13,000 employees in more than 240 sites and training locations in over 40 countries. CAE represents more than 75 years of industry firsts—the highest-fidelity flight and mission simulators as well as training programs powered by digital technologies. We embed sustainability in everything we do. Today and tomorrow, we’ll make sure our customers are ready for the moments that matter.

Source: Eve Air Mobility
Photo Credit: Eve Air Mobility

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Global Pilot Training Solution Provider L3Harris Commercial Aviation Announces 2024 Appointment for Customer Director for Europe

L3Harris Commercial Aviation has appointed Irina van Heeswijk, who will be joining the company as the new Customer Director for Europe, effective November 2024. In her announcement, van Heeswijk expressed her enthusiasm for joining L3Harris, stating, “It’s an honor to become a part of this remarkable company and I’m eager to bring my experience and passion to the team and contribute to the future success, growth, and continued evolution of the business.

Source: Irina van Heeswijk (L3Harris Commercial Aviation)
Photo Credit: Irina van Heeswijk (L3Harris Commercial Aviation)

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