Samer Majali, the President and Chief Executive at Royal Jordanian Airlines (RJ) was recently awarded the Distinguished Aviation Alumni Award 2022 by Cranfield University. His airline has a fleet of more than 20 modern aircraft, and a diverse network of more than 40 destinations spread across four continents.
The honour was accorded by Professor Dame Helen Atkinson, Pro-Vice Chancellor, School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing at Cranfield University, UK.
Samer had completed his BS Aeronautical Engineering and Design Diploma in Industrial Studies in 1979 at Loughborough University, UK followed by an MSc in Air Transport Management degree in 1983 at Cranfield University.
The Distinguished Aviation Alumni Award is one of Cranfield University’s highest honours. It recognizes the individuals who have achieved significant success within the aviation industry, while upholding the highest standards in industry practice.
He is an influential leader in the aviation industry and is a member of multiple associations including, the Engineers Association of Jordan, the Board of Trustees at King Hussein Cancer Foundation, and a member of the Executive Committee for the Arab Air Carriers Organisation AACO.
The award was given to Majali in acknowledgment of his sustained professional achievement at the highest levels; he is regarded as a role model for leadership, having international visibility, influence, and wide experience working across different countries.
Majali has also shown a significant impact on the air transport industry, beyond his own role and organization wherever he worked, being highly regarded as one of the Middle East’s most powerful and influential airline CEOs.
Samer is also a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and is a Chartered Engineer, awarded by The Engineering Council UK.
Samer started his career with Royal Jordanian in 2001, working with the Board of Directors to restructure the airline (post 9/11) to improve its competitiveness, reliance on government support, and introduced a quality customer service focus.
This returned the airline to profitability from 2004 onwards. Samer went on to achieve the status to be the first Arab and Middle Eastern Carrier to join the leading global alliance; OneWorld in March 2007, and led the IPO roadshow with CitiGroup, presenting to over fifty potential investors, resulting in the first true and successful IPO of a flag carrier in the Middle East in December 2007.
Samer has held CEO positions in other airlines such as Gulf Air, Oman Air, and SaudiGulf Airlines. His impact in these positions involved, reconstructing Gulf Air and Oman Air by designing a new vision and strategy for the airlines to improve financial performance.
At SaudiGulf he successfully headed the greenfield project of setting up a new airline in Saudi Arabia in 2013, until it commenced domestic operations in 2016 with four new A320 aircraft based in Dammam. As a result, Samer obtained IOSA certification and IATA membership in record time for a start-up.
Samer said:
“I am both humbled and honoured to receive the aviation alumni award for 2022. It is special as it's recognition from a globally recognised institution of learning and innovation and the one which I have had the privilege of being associated with for many years“.
In another development, Scott McLarty — the Senior Vice President of Airbus & Business Jet Programs at Spirit AeroSystems, received the 2022 Distinguished Aerospace Alumni Award from the Cranfield University.
Over his 30-year career in Aerospace, Scott has held various leadership roles across Operations, Project Management, Supply Chain, Quality, Business Improvement, Strategy, and HR. He has worked with many customers on development and recurring programs, including Boeing, Airbus, Hawker, BAE Regional Aircraft, and military programs such as the Harrier and Hawk at BAE military sites.
Commenting on the award, Scott said:
"I'm delighted to have received this honour, particularly given the achievements by my alumni peers who have been award recipients over the years. I’ve been fortunate, and honoured, to be able to contribute to and help shape such an exciting industry, particularly as we transition to a new era of flight and a net zero future.”
Source : Cranfield University
