GHAC Conference
14
Oct
Summary
What this edition was
The 17th Global Humanitarian Aviation Conference and Exhibition brought the sector back to the CVK Park Bosphorus Hotel in Istanbul in October 2025. Thirty-six speakers took the podium, drawn from operators, manufacturers, charterers and humanitarian agencies: 748 Air Services, Abyssinian Flight Service, ATR, Chapman Freeborn, Air-Tec Global, Aviation Sans Frontières and the World Food Programme among them. The programme paired plenary sessions with an exhibition floor and the bilateral meetings that fill the margins of every edition.
Speakers
The voices on the podium
Eric MajouChief Pilot and Captain @ Aviation Sans FrontièresBarry specialised in public/private partnerships and industrial turnaround projects. He builds practical, principled approaches to complex problems. At times, this challenges existing frameworks and urges stakeholders to adopt new perspectives. His drive is toward an inclusive world; hence the Wings for Aid logistics motto, "reaching people anywhere".
Mr. Jibril has been the Executive Chairman for 748 Air Services since its founding in 1994. In this capacity, Mr. Jibril has directly overseen all major strategic initiatives including long term strategic planning, balance sheet strategies, strategic relationships, asset acquisitions, and all new business development at 748 Air Services for the past twenty two years. Mr. Jibril has grown the company from a one aircraft operation in 1994 to 12 Aircrafts in 2016. He is also the Chief Executive officer of ARJ Investments Limited, a diversified private equity firm based out Toronto, Canada with global interests in the aviation, real estate, auto parts and food services sectors. He is a member of Institutes of Public Accountants of Kenya and founding member of the Association of Financial Analysts of Kenya. He is also a member of the Institute of Chartered Accounts of England & Wales and the
Amare is Deputy Managing Director at Abyssinian Flight Services and a pioneer in Ethiopian aviation. His military, civil, and humanitarian aviation experience spans over 60 years of which nearly 20 years with UNHAS operations, championing safety, sustainability, and equity for small operators, focusing on scalable and sustainable safety standards.
His core focus lies in the global promotion of civil unmanned transport aircraft and emergency rescue UAV solutions, driving advancement in related fields.
For the past 14 years, I’ve worked in the aviation sector, leading teams, improving sales, and driving business development. I have managed the work of more than 50 professionals across 11 countries and was responsible for delivering $350M annual revenue.
Mr. Constantinos is a pilot by profession, he flew various single and multi-engine types of aircraft with more than 11,000 flying hours, he also holds a master's degree in business administration and have served at various capacities during his career and currently is the Chief operating office at Air-Tec Global
Charlie Goldsmith has been in Africa twenty years. Having worked in rail and aviation in Europe, he came to South Sudan in 2006 to lead church school projects, and lived there until Independence in 2011, leading national-scale systems implementation in education and public financial management.
In 2011 he established CGA Technologies, taking these approaches to countries including Sierra Leone, Somalia, CAR, Malawi and Ukraine. Lutheran World Relief of the United States acquired the company in 2019, Charlie continuing as MD.
Charlie joined Windracers in 2022, and, from Lusaka, leads for them on humanitarian and global development use case development.
Head of Business Development ATR
El Khan has been with ICAO from 2006.Holding PhD in aeronautical systems and ICAO safety audit team leader and auditor, Before ICAO held a position of Deputy Director Azerbaijan Air Navigation Services
Denys Saltanov has over 15 years of field and HQ experience with the World Food Programme Aviation. He has led aviation quality assurance and emergency response functions, managing air transport operations in complex environments. Denys holds a Master’s degree in Air Transport Management from Cranfield University and currently leads WFP air operations in Northeast Nigeria.
Mr. David is the managing director and co-founder of FlightGuardian, he is a member of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Safety Management Panel (SMP) and the Accident Investigation Panel (AIGP). He has consulted the European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA) on rule makings tasks.He is a first officer currently flies the B737 NG / MAX as a First Officer for TUIfly. He has served as member and Vice-Chair of VC’s AAP working group, ECA’s Flight Data working group, IFALPA’s AAP Committee and is currently Vice-Chair of IFALPA’s Safety Management Working Group (SMWG). Trained in Accident and Incident Investigation, Safety Management Systems, Risk Assessment, Threat & Error Management, he is also a Theoretical Knowledge Instructor.
Dr. Franklyn Frimpong is an accomplished aviation leader with over 30 years of experience. Until July 2026, he served as the Director of Aviation Services at the UN World Food Programme (WFP) in Rome, overseeing global operations including the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS). He has led complex air transport operations in Kenya, South Sudan, Indonesia, Sudan, and Chad.
Dr. Frimpong holds a PhD in Business Management and an MBA; he is a Project Management Professional (PMP), and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (FCILT). He is a former Air Force pilot and enjoys golfing.
Geoffrey Mwangi is a seasoned aviation and humanitarian logistics professional with over 25 years of experience in Humanitarian Aviation . He began his career in Lokichoggio, Northern Kenya, and has since held senior leadership roles across multiple complex and high-risk operations, including in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, Kenya, Somalia, and Pakistan.Currently serving as the Chief Air Transport Officer for WFP Sudan, Geoffrey leads the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) operations, ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient air transport for humanitarian personnel and cargo across the region. His strategic leadership has been instrumental in supporting emergency response, enhancing operational reach, and strengthening coordination with national authorities and humanitarian partners.A Kenyan national, Geoffrey holds a master’s degree in Sociology from Mo
Ismael Rhissa Zakary is responsible for the development of long-range business objectives and strategic plans for Pratt and Whitney Canada. His role encompasses identifying and developing Pratt & Whitney Canada new services in Europe, Africa and Middle-east as well as leading range of Aftermarket support activities.
Ismael holds a Master's in Business Administration (MBA) in strategy from Queen's University, a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales (HEC) and a Post Graduate degree in Finance and Treasury from McGill University.
AIR-TEC is an twin engine turbine aircraft operator with Branches in South Africa, Costa Rica, Mozambique and Mauritius. AIR-TEC specialise also in Aircraft Sales, Maintenance and Aircraft Management. Jan Rehousek is a graduate of the University of Siegen, Germany in Mechanical Engineering. He has attended several Flight Safety and Airline Management Conferences in Europe, Canada and the Middle East. He has been involved in over 200 Aircraft sales and leasing transactions throughout the world. Several new Airlines have been guided through feasibility, certification, financing until their complete set up. He has 35 years of experience as ATP and various Twin Turbine and B737 Type Ratings.
Following a flying career in the British Army, Jamie moved into the commercial helicopter space in 2013 including roles at CHC and Milestone Aviation. Jamie holds a Degree from UCL and a Diploma in Aircraft Leasing and Finance. Jamie joined GDHF as in August 2024
Jackie Nieuwoudt is a Director at Dennis Jankelow. i have 16 years of Insurance experience of which 12 years are in Aviation. I joined DJA in 1999 and was appointed to the Board of directors in 2010.
Commercial Manager at Dragonfly Aviation Limited, I specialize in driving revenue growth and expanding market reach for the airline. With over 2.5 years of experience in this role, I have developed expertise in strategic partnerships, revenue management, and market analysis to enhance profitability. I am also skilled in client acquisition, contract negotiation, and sales team leadership.
National Senior Certificate NS3ICAO Safety ManagementGulf States Safety Management
Kaval Shah is an aviation professional and commercial strategist with more than 25 years of experience in the global aircraft engine industry. Currently with Pratt & Whitney Canada, he serves as Regional Sales Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa alongside a strategic Sales & Marketing role across EMEA.
Born in Nairobi and having built an international career spanning Africa, Europe and North America, Kaval brings an engineer's foundation, extensive commercial experience and a deep connection to African aviation. His first-hand exposure to operators supporting humanitarian missions gives him a practical and human perspective on the role aviation plays in connecting communities and delivering critical support where it is needed most.
-Deputy Director General of Training department at EgyptAir Airlines-General Manager of carbon Emissions Mitigation & Offset scheme -Head of the Preparedness and Planning Committee for COP27 for the EgyptAir Holding Company-General Manager of International Air Transport Agreements at the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority
UAS/RPAS Technical Expert - ICAO
Laurent joined the ICRC in 2016 and has led AirOps missions in Juba, Bangui, Bamako, and Nairobi. He holds a bachelor’s in communication, a pilot’s license, and a master’s in Sustainable Aviation Management. Prior to the ICRC, he worked for Canadian operators across five countries enhancing his operational and strategic expertise.
Michel Schaffner was Head of Air Operations at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and he is now Air Operations Manager for Somalia based in Nairobi, overseeing humanitarian airlift and aviation logistics in conflict zones and remote areas. He leads complex flight operations using planes and helicopters to deliver life-saving aid and support field missions. A recognized expert on humanitarian aviation challenges, he focuses on remote-area access, security risk management, and compliance with international standards. Michel regularly speaks at global forums, including the Global Humanitarian Aviation Conference, on enabling safe, efficient, and principled air operations in crisis settings.
Nizar has eight years of experience working alongside the executive team of ALS Ltd, a leading aviation company based at Wilson Airport Nairobi. Nizar has a Master's degree of Science in Corporate Finance from the University of Liverpool and is also a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA). He has over 10 years of experience in the aviation industry and over 15 years of experience in the financial and commercial sections.At ALS Ltd. Nizar specializes in ALS Commercial roles, leading a team that develops and implements commercial strategies according to company goals and objectives aiming to accelerate expansion and business development.
Mr. Ovais is serving as Chief Aviation Safety in United Nations Headquarters, New York. He has been a instructor pilot, test pilot and aerobatic team member in the military; he holds commercial aviation ratings and flew executive business aircraft. Ovais holds operational experience in remotely piloted aircraft systems and has been the first project manager of remote aircraft systems in United Nations. He is a certified project management specialist, aviation safety (ops) inspector and an accident investigator.Ovais hold Masters in Business Administration, Bachelors in War and Policy and another Bachelor in Business Studies. He has rich UN field and headquarter experience in aviation operations, safety and collaborates extensively with the humanitarian and development actors. Ovais keeps a keen eye on International Affairs and Global Politics.
Besides being a Medical Doctor (neuropediatric and neurobiology research) and having a strong background in Computer Sciences, my passion for Aviation, getting a FAA Dispatcher certification together with an IATA Flight Operation management certification, when I joined MSF in 2010, oriented my career to Humanitarian Flight Operations on the field for emergency deployment (Philippines, Guinea, Haiti, Mozambique,…) or mission flight coordination (DRC, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Yemen,…) and at Headquarters as Air Operations Front or Back office.
Master’s degree in transport management and economy from the Ukrainian transport University
Professional Management Diploma from the UK Open University
21 years with Chapman Freeborn celebrated on the 6th October 2024 - started as a market researcher for ex Soviet (CIS) aircraft fleets , continuing as a broker and senior broker, then onto account management for relief flights and, finally, - Head of Government and Humanitarian projects Europe
Mr. Khan holds a Masterís Degree in Business Administration (Entrepreneurship) from the University of Liverpool. He embarked on his professional journey with Kingsway Motors Ltd. in 1996 as a Sales Executive and progressed to Sales Manager, reporting directly to the Chairman of Kingsway Group of Companies. He left Kingsway at the end of 2003 and proceeded to pursue a career in aviation. He obtained his Private Pilot's License in 2004 and later joined ALS Limited in the same year in the Operations Department. Mr. Khan progressed at ALS to the position of Operations Manager, after which he moved up to be the Commercial Director where he grew the fleet from three aircraft to fifteen aircraft on contract. In 2015 he was promoted to the position of CEO which he currently holds.
Tohir will spearhead Chapman Freeborn’s Government & Humanitarian Projects division in the IMEA region, elevating the company’s presence and impact in these critical sectors. His extensive experience and comprehensive knowledge of the region will enable Chapman Freeborn to navigate the intricacies of government contracts and humanitarian initiatives with utmost precision and efficiency.
Yvette Lawrenson is the Regulatory Lead at Windracers Ltd, where she ensures compliance for autonomous cargo drone operations across challenging regions like Antarctica and Africa. A qualified Ground Control Operator, she combines hands-on expertise with regulatory leadership and has been featured in industry panels and podcasts for her contributions to aviation innovation.
Tasneem is the Commercial Manager at Renegade Air Ltd., with specialized expertise in the aviation industry and a strong background in finance, procurement, and strategic operations. She holds a Master’s degree in Economic Development and Policy Analysis, bringing a deep analytical perspective to commercial decision-making and organizational growth.With experience across East and Central Africa—including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, DRC, Somalia, South Sudan, and Chad—Tasneem has successfully led complex, cross-functional projects in challenging environments. Her career is marked by a passion for aviation, a commitment to regulatory excellence, and a proven ability to drive operational efficiency and transformation.
An experienced leader with extensive international experience gained through senior Sales & Marketing roles initially in Asia/Pacific followed by North America, Europe / Middle East & Africa, Russia / CIS and most recently in the Americas including North, Central / Caribbean and South America.
Ryan has a proven track record of success in developing positive senior level relationships across a complex international client base. His demonstrated ability of successfully overseeing or directly leading campaigns through strategy development, competitive assessment, negotiation and contracting has resulted in sales or leases of over 200 commercial aircraft to a diverse global client base with a contract value well in excess of $6 Billion USD.
Focusing on UAV application implementation and overseeing team & business coordination
Oleh is the Head of UNHAS South Sudan, overseeing the World Food Programme's largest field aviation operation. With over 20 years of experience in air transport and logistics, he leads a network that serves more than 40 destinations across South Sudan and supports nearly 200 humanitarian organizations. His work ensures critical last-mile access for aid delivery in some of the most remote and challenging environments.
Oleh began his career in commercial aviation in Ukraine in 1999 and joined WFP in 2007 as a UNHAS Officer in Nyala, Sudan. He has since held various leadership roles within WFP Aviation and Logistics, including assignments in Ethiopia, Uganda, and WFP Headquarters.
He holds a degree in Aviation Management from the State Flight Academy of Ukraine, has prior flight experience, and has completed extensive professional training in aviation and supply chain management.
Gallery
From the floor
Keep going
Earlier in the archive
GHAC Conference
Humanitarian Aviation Campaign
02
Sep
Humanitarian Aviation Campaign
28
Aug