Aviation
Operations professionals in Aviation
These ten professionals hold or have held operations leadership roles at airlines, airports and aviation service companies. A reader can learn how aviation operations teams run flight, airport and ground operations and balance safety, on-time performance and cost.
Professionals to explore
01—10Andreas Ahlberg
LinkedInExperience: Head of Operations Deputy CEO · Linköping City Airport
Head of Operations Deputy CEO at Linköping City Airport since 2024, with an Interim CEO Tf vd role there in 2025. The summary describes a former airline captain with flight operations responsibility who later became Airport Operations Manager and Deputy CEO. Former Captain B737 at Norwegian (2021–2024) and TUI ATO Content Production Officer at TUI (2023–2024).
Christopher Bassett
LinkedInExperience: Director of Operations · Kamaka Air Inc
Director of Operations at Kamaka Air Inc since 2025. Former Vice President Aviation Operations at Mach Point Aviation (2022–2024) and Vice President Operations at Air Ambulance Worldwide (2021–2022). The summary describes an aviation professional with expertise in logistics and operations management, managing budgets and developing cost savings while leading in safety.
Eric Hamilton
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Ops · Menzies Aviation
Vice President Ops at Menzies Aviation since 2024. Former Regional Director (2022–2023), GM Orlando (2017–2022), GM Integration UK (2016–2017) and GM OSAC UK&Ireland (2015–2016) at Menzies Aviation. The highlights list the current role in the Operations department at President/Vice President level.
Felipe Paez Molano
LinkedInExperience: Executive Director of Operations · LATAM Airlines
Executive Director of Operations at LATAM Airlines since 2024, and Piloto A320 at LATAM Airlines since 2012. The summary, in Spanish, describes serving as flight operations director at LATAM Airlines Colombia, overseeing strategic planning and execution for a fleet of 30 aircraft and more than 800 employees. Former Copiloto at Copa Airlines (2007–2012).
James Trudeau
LinkedInExperience: Director of Airport Operations · United Airlines
Director of Airport Operations at United Airlines since 2023. Former Assistant General Manager (2019–2024), Operations Manager (2013–2018) and General Manager (2010–2013) at United Airlines. The summary lists core competencies in operations management, team building, strategic implementation, project management, data trending and operational efficiency.
Jill Surdek
LinkedInExperience: Senior Vice President, Operations - Flight Service · American Airlines
Former Senior Vice President, Operations - Flight Service at American Airlines (2017–2020). Former Vice President, Customer Planning (2014–2017) and Managing Director, Brand and Customer Experience Strategy (2012–2013) at American Airlines, and former Director of Operations, Amazon Logistics at Amazon (2022–2023). The summary describes leading large customer-facing workgroups as an Officer at a Fortune 100 company.
Kenneth Reaves
LinkedInExperience: Director of Operations · PrimeFlight Aviation Services
Director of Operations at PrimeFlight Aviation Services since 2025, also listed as Director of Operations there for 2022–2023 and 2023–2025 and as General Manager for 2018–2020 and 2020–2022. The highlights describe being well versed in ATA 103 and NFPA and managing large scale aviation fueling operations.
Peter Nolte
LinkedInExperience: Director Operations (FOP IFS OBS) · Delta Air Lines
Director Operations (FOP IFS OBS) at Delta Air Lines since 2025. Former Director Intergrated Operations Planning (2023–2025) and General Manager Crew Strategy and Processes (2021–2023) at Delta Air Lines. The summary describes international experience in aviation, consulting and research, including operational excellence and strategy development. Other listed roles include Senior Manager at Porsche Consulting (2020–2021).
Robert Rufli
LinkedInExperience: Director of Operations · Schubach Aviation
Director of Operations at Schubach Aviation since 2024; the highlights describe Schubach Aviation as a private jet charter and aircraft management service. Former Director Of Operations at Air Charter Safety Foundation (2022–2023), Vice President of Flight Operations & Director of Operations at Pentastar Aviation (2017–2022) and Senior Vice President at Signature Aircraft Management & Charter (2015–2017).
Valerian Chkhenkeli
LinkedInExperience: Director of Flight Operations · Georgian Airways
Director of Flight Operations at Georgian Airways since 2025; the highlights describe Georgian Airways as an airlines and aviation company. Former Chief Pilot at Georgian Airways (2021–2025), and also listed as Airline Captain at Airzena Georgian Airways since 2017. The summary describes more than 10,000 flight hours, under the headline Flight Operations Director / Deputy General Director.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's operating setting, such as a major airline, a regional airport, a ground handler or a charter operator, to the decision you face. Check whether their relevant role is current or past and whether it covered flight, airport or ground operations.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01Which operational metrics did you watch most closely each day, and what did you do when they slipped?
- 02How did you plan staffing and equipment for peak periods and irregular operations?
- 03When safety requirements and on-time performance pulled in different directions, how did you decide?
Reaching operations professionals in Aviation
How can I contact one of these operations professionals in Aviation?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 10 companies, including Linköping City Airport, Kamaka Air Inc and Menzies Aviation, based on profile data retrieved on October 1, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach operations professionals in Aviation?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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