Airways' new General Manager predicts business growth

Airways’ new General Manager Global Services, Jamie Macdonald took up his role last month, bringing a strong development and marketing background to the international training and technology focused division.

“We are delighted to have attracted a person of Mr Macdonald’s calibre and experience to this role, and I’m looking forward to gleaning some of his expertise in international product development as we work together,” says Chief Executive Ed Sims.

Mr Macdonald brings considerable experience to Airways New Zealand, most recently as an advisor, director and investor in a wide variety of export-focused businesses across the technology sector.  He is responsible for the leadership, strategic direction and management of the Airways Global Services division, which works in international markets to lead the evolution in air navigation services.

He says he was attracted to Airways by the diversity of the Global Services business and the potential it has globally.

“In New Zealand we just tend to do things differently, and we have a great perspective.  It’s these traits that ensure Airways is leading the way in the development of products and services for our international partners.”

Mr Macdonald says his focus will be on supporting the growth of these international products and partnerships, which include cloud-based flight revenue management systems, provision of aeronautical information, and air traffic control and management training. 

The company is currently deploying training partnerships in Dubai, China and Puerto Rico.  Mr Macdonald says that Airways has a view to the long-term opportunities in these new regions, while maintaining the intrinsic quality of the company’s New Zealand training content and software for both domestic and international students.

“From a background of technology services marketing and general management, I’m also very excited about the possibilities which our Flightyield cloud-based revenue management system and the newly formed GroupEAD aeronautical information management partnerships bring to the company,” he says.  “My first few days in the role have demonstrated to me the long-term, tremendous growth opportunities which exist for Airways and our international partners, which are driven by the very unique levels of expertise we have here on staff.”

Mr Macdonald joins Airways with more than 16 years of international experience, including eight years in-market in Switzerland, France, the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom, with the balance advising and working within New Zealand hi-tech companies successfully exporting to all corners of the world.  He spent his early career in the telecommunications sector. Following this he held senior roles in companies including Bell Atlantic International, Orange Switzerland, and Navman, in addition to start-ups in Europe and New Zealand.

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