Aviation safety is not a system on paper — it is a leadership responsibility, exercised every day through decisions, behaviours, and accountability

Aviation safety leadership involves mentoring and teaching best practices, particularly in areas such as incident investigation and the implementation of safety management systems.

John has held senior aviation management positions in challenging and diverse environments, showcasing his aviation safety leadership, including: Chief Aviation Officer, United Nations, Peacekeeping Mission (Timor-Leste); Country Director, Afghanistan, USA registered air carrier; Strategic Advisor on Safety Management, Government of India; Manager of Operations, Baghdad Air Traffic Control Centre; Vice President, Safety, Dubai-based aviation consultancy; Director, Safety, Indonesian domestic airline; Senior Manager, Safety, Airports Council International (ACI); Director, Safety & Quality, Canadian regional airline; Team Leader, ICAO Safety Enhancement Project, Cabo Verde; Senior Aviation Advisor, Asian Development Bank; Aviation Operations and Safety Consultant, World Bank Group.

During 2012 and 2013, John was the Team Leader for the first-ever international safety assessment program for airports, for Airports Council International (ACI), which ICAO now fully endorses.

John has been involved in aviation operations, safety and risk management, since the concept of Safety Management first emerged and is uniquely experienced in all sectors of civil aviation: Airports, Airlines, and air traffic control.

He specializes in incident investigation and provides aviation safety consulting and training services to governments, aviation authorities, and private companies through his own company, focusing on safety management systems.

Aviation Expert Consultant to the Asian Development Bank, 2018 – 2021: 

• Nepal: Aviation Sector Reform Specialist focused on enhancing aviation safety leadership. 
• Papua New Guinea: Airport PPP Advisor, emphasizing the importance of robust safety management systems. 
• Papua New Guinea: Civil Aviation Development Program Advisor with a strong emphasis on incident investigation and safety protocols. 
• Asia Regional: Aviation Projects Evaluation Advisor dedicated to improving overall aviation safety leadership.

Aviation Safety Consultant for the World Bank Group in Nepal, 2022, focusing on aviation safety leadership. Served as an SMS Auditor and Instructor (ICAO, IATA, ACI) across various countries including Canada, Indonesia, Curacao, Singapore, Morocco, Zambia, South Africa, Iran, Thailand, and Cabo Verde, specializing in safety management systems and incident investigation. Led a team for APEX Airport Safety Assessments (ACI) in Honduras, Mozambique, Indonesia, Zambia, Antigua, India, Romania, and Mauritania from 2012 to 2013. Additionally, acted as a Strategic Advisor for the EU – INDIA Civil Aviation Cooperation Project, concentrating on SMS and SSP development and implementation in 2011.

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