Royaljet Appoints Shafiul Syed as New CEO

Abu Dhabi, UAE: AUGUST 2024: RoyalJet, the premium private jet operator, is poised to continue to build on the business success it has achieved over the last two decades with the entry of a new shareholder and the appointment of seasoned aviation industry executive Shafiul Syed as its new Chief Executive.

This latest development and key milestone ushers in a new chapter in RoyalJet’s business growth and expansion aspirations.

“I am excited to be joining the RoyalJet family at this time.” Syed said. “The Middle East is going through incredible growth and Abu Dhabi, our home, is very key to many of those advancements. We have an incredible opportunity to further push the company forward to the next level on the global arena.”

Syed indicated that his areas of focus will be safety, customer service and strategy development.

“Top of the list is safety. As a premium private jet operator, this is our ultimate responsibility and service towards our guest,” Syed explained. “And because we deal with very high profile VVIP customers, not only should we deliver and meet expectations in service but continue to reinvent and expand through new frontiers.

Syed explained further “Impeccable safety standards and excellent customer service underpin our daily operations, and we need to continue to evolve and grow with the environment, into the future. With a new composition of Board of Directors, we are poised to trail blaze, whilst growing the business, exploring new geographies and segments. These steps come within the framework of our efforts to build and enhance the success of our distinctive brand, Royal Jet, and consolidate our leading position in the market.”

Mohammed Husain Ahmed, who previously held the post of Royal Jet CEO and has now taken on the role of the Advisor to the Chairman, said: “I am truly excited to welcome Shaf to the Royal Jet family on behalf of the Chairman. The years of experience he has had in the aviation industry truly speak volumes about his leadership and business acumen. This, I believe will drive Royal Jet to even greater heights and help realise the brand’s aspirations to spread its wings further across key markets. I wish him all the best.”

Syed comes with more than three and a half decades of aviation management experience, across many departments and functions. He has led major brand organisations through tough business and culture change with his inspired and passionate leadership, as well as an uncompromising commitment to safety, strategy and the customer as key success factors.

Syed has worked across various locations in the world, specialising in starting-up new airlines, turning them around, or providing strategic management. Under his leadership, Aero FlightOps UK Ltd received one of the first Air Operator Certificates (AOC) to be awarded by the UK CAA post Brexit. In Nigeria, Atlantic Aviation Ltd. secured an AOC to compete against other helicopter operators. And, during his stints with Coastal (Tanzania & East Africa), Heliconia (Morocco & Northwest Africa) and Aero Contractors (Nigeria & West Africa), company brands were driven back to world class safety and operational standards leading to commercial profitability.

At the start of his career, Syed had an 18-year distinguished profile at British Airways ~ starting off as an undergraduate engineer, Boeing 747-400 Line Maintenance Engineer, Production Controller to BA Engineering’s Landing Gear overhaul facility, Operations Scheduler, Customer Services Manager, Brand Marketing Executive through to Sales Manager and culminating as General Manager for BA’s entire operations in North & West Africa.

Syed studied Air Transport Engineering at the City University (London, UK) and Business Administration at Henley Business School. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society (FRAeS).

About RoyalJet:

RoyalJet LLC is an Abu Dhabi Emirates affiliated company which leads the global premium private aviation sector and is chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan. With its headquarters in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, operates mainly from its Fixed Based Operations (FBO) / VIP Terminal at Abu Dhabi International Airport and the company and its employees hold multiple certifications and licenses issued by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, Bailiwick of Guernsey Civil Aviation Authority and the Republic of San Marino Civil Aviation Authority.  RoyalJet LLC, through its Abu Dhabi and San Marino entities, owns and/or operates nine Boeing Business Jets and five Bombardier Global 5000/6000/7500 aircraft, offering aircraft management, aircraft charter, aircraft leasing, medical evacuation flights, aircraft brokerage, flight support services, FBO services, aircraft maintenance, repair and CAMO services, aircraft acquisition and disposal services and VIP aviation consulting. RoyalJet LLC is a founding member of the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA), a member of various other industry associations, and its flight and ground operations are certified by the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) and under the Wyvern Wingman program. Its FBO is also a member of the industry leading Air Elite Network. RoyalJet LLC is also a proud multiple-times winner of the “World’s Leading Private Jet Charter” category at the annual World Travel Awards and its FBO has won numerous awards for its facilities and services.