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Beyond the signing ceremony and the strategic meetings, ITAérea’s presence at GISS 2026 extended to the symposium’s technical and strategic discussions. Our President, Javier Gándara, who also serves as Global Director of Public Policy and Managing Director for Southern Europe at easyJet, participated as a panelist in Panel 7, titled “Let’s Talk Talent: Who Will Keep Aviation Flying?” The session, held on 15 April, addressed one of the most pressing challenges facing the aviation sector: the recruitment, training, and retention of the next generation of aviation professionals. The panel brought together senior leaders from across the global aviation ecosystem. During the discussion, panelists explored the evolving skills landscape of the aviation industry, the impact of technological transformation on workforce needs, and the importance of inclusive, globally accessible training pathways. Gándara highlighted the role of institutions like ITAérea in bridging the talent gap through specialized education programmes and international partnerships such as the one expanded with ICAO. Down below is the list of the panelists who participated:
Moderator:
- Tee Chiou Ng, Deputy Director General, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore
Panelists:
- Abdulkerim Cay, Chief Human Resources Officer, Turkish Airlines
- Chequita M. Johnson, Director General, Civil Aviation Authority of The Bahamas
- Javier Gándara Martínez, Global Director of Public Policy & Managing Director (Southern
Europe), easyJet; - Margareth Kyarwenda, Secretary General, Association of African Aviation Training
Organizations (AATO) - Dr Dr Nadine Itani, Policy Director, ASA WORLD
The strengthened agreement between ITAérea and ICAO is expected to support a wider pool of students and professionals seeking advanced training in aviation management, safety, and regulatory frameworks. By expanding scholarship opportunities, both organizations aim to contribute to a more diverse, skilled, and globally connected aviation workforce.
