GHAC Conference
14
Oct
Summary
What this edition was
The 16th GHAC convened in Lusail City, Doha, in October 2024. Twenty-four speakers from operators, manufacturers and humanitarian agencies took the podium, including 748 Air Services, Air-Tec Global, Chapman Freeborn, the ICRC in Geneva and the World Food Programme. Thirteen presentations from the programme are available below.
Speakers
The voices on the podium
Eric MajouChief Pilot and Captain @ Aviation Sans FrontièresMr. 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
Barry 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. 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
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.
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.
James is the Director Sales, Africa for the De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited, a position he has held since October 2019.
A highly accomplished aviation and finance professional, James has extensive global experience in aviation finance, leasing and banking.
James previously worked with GECAS as VP Sales & Marketing from 2011 – 2019. During this time, he led the Company’s Sales and Marketing efforts across sub Saharan Africa, working with various commercial airlines to structure innovative aircraft financing and leasing solutions.
Prior to this, James also held various roles of increasing responsibility in Banking that saw him work in Africa, the United States and the Middle East.
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.
In the raise of his career served 17 years in the Honduran Air Force as military pilot, with ratings in several fixed wing and helicopter aircraft. On conclusion of his military service, joined DPKO briefly for a mission in Eritrea (UNMEE) and then worked for more than 20 years up to date with the World Food Programme; Currently serving Chief Aviation Safety Unit, with prior positions as Chief Air Transport Officer in South Sudan and Afghanistan. Previously served as Regional Safety Officer in Nairobi and South Africa and in Rome HQ from where he was assigned to participate in various worldwide emergencies like Mozambique floods, Iraq post war, Haiti hurricane, Indonesia Tsunami, Pakistan earthquake and flood, Madagascar floods and the Philippines Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda back in 2013.
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.
Senior Marketing Manager experienced with diverse technologies. Innovative strategist with proven ability to identify, launch and manage products and services in both emerging and established markets. Demonstrated competence in Start-Ups, Fortune 100 companies and Humanitarian Organizations.
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
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.
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.
Aerospace Engineer joined Leonardo Helicopters in March 2009. He matured a solid knowledge of worldwide commercial and military/government markets through relationship with customers and overseeing promotion activities. Stefano loves mountain trekking as well as books reading during spare time.
International experience (including being raised in South America), aviation services in back-country settings in South America, Africa and Pacific/Asia . Comfortable in cross-cultural situations. Fluent in Spanish, "basic" in Swahili. Interested in providing professional, safe service in diverse contexts.
Management Engineer with 10+ years of experience in managing complex inorganic growth initiatives (M&A and joint-ventures) in the Helicopters business. Proven experience in developing and leading the implementation of strategic projects, across large organizations, involving international stakeholders. Currently Head of Marketing at Leonardo Helicopters, a € 5+ bn fully-fledged rotorcraft company with operations in 5 geographies.
Technical Officer in the Operational Safety section of the Air Navigation Bureau (ANB) at ICAO. Secretary of the Flight Ops Panel (FLTOPSP) and the PBN Study Group (PBNSG).A320 Pilot with over 7000 hours commercial flying experience, 2000+ hours command on type.Masters Degree in Operational Research with 3 years experience in applying the techniques of OR in an Airline Environment.
26 years of international experience, applying psychology in clinical, labor, aeronautical and crisis fields. Consultant, performing situational diagnosis, creating, incorporating, evaluating and follow-up of programs and projects. Trainer, designing sized fit teaching courses. Assisting individuals and groups of affected communities and responders in emergencies and disasters.
Head of Business Development ATR
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.
As the Commercial Director China-Middle East at FLYING WHALES, Stella Zhou is responsible for elaborating business strategy and driving business development across several sectors including timber, renewable energy, and construction within the region. She joined FLYING WHALES in 2020, bringing a wealth of experience from her earlier roles as a strategic consultant. With a focus on innovative and sustainable logistics, she fosters strategic government partnerships and promotes sustainable transport solutions with the LCA60T.
Daniel Juzi is a humanitarian disaster response and safety and security specialist working for Swiss Government Development. He is still active as a pilot and lectures on topics around crisis, safety and security management.
Growing up in South East Asia, Daniel completed his undergraduate studies in the USA and graduate studies at City University in London. Daniel has spent his career flying in fragile contexts, starting out in Africa, then spending 20 years in Afghanistan and in various humanitarian disasters.
Daniel has specialized in helping organizations understand anthropological issues around safety management through finding contextual solutions. Various organizations have also asked for help to develop their crisis management or Daniel has been asked to support them in a real crisis.
Daniel is available for lectures, workshops, or consultations.
Gallery
From the floor
Resources
Presentations & downloads
Keep going
Earlier in the archive
GHAC Conference
Humanitarian Aviation Campaign
02
Sep
GHAC Conference
15
Oct
17th Global Humanitarian Aviation Conference and Exhibition
CVK Park Bosphorus Hotel, Türkiye
15 Oct 2025
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