The Expert Panel
Our panel featured:
- Toni Drummond, President & Co-founder, Prestige Air Group
- Leslie Cheshier, VP Owner & Charter Services, Jet Aviation
- Saskia De Jong, Global Director of Customer Success, Avinode Group
Technology: The Great Enabler
The aviation industry is experiencing a technological revolution, and our panelists are at the forefront of this revolution. Both Prestige Air Group and Jet Aviation are investing heavily in cutting-edge software to streamline operations and unlock unprecedented productivity gains.
“Technology has been a beautiful friend to us in so many ways, it keeps us safe,” explained Toni Drummond. “When you are using technology as a preventative, whether it’s preventative maintenance or preventative in-scheduling, or safety – ensuring you stay within your regulations and compliance, there is a beautiful space for technology there. Technology helps us grow faster; technology helps us scale”.
By leveraging modern technology, industry professionals can:
- Reduce human error
- Minimize operational friction
- Enhance overall efficiency
Navigating the Post-Pandemic Landscape
COVID-19 fundamentally reshaped business aviation. Our panel dissected the emerging trends:
- An influx of new industry entrants poses the need for education
- Evolving team collaboration models to facilitate effective remote working
- Shifting client interaction dynamics and how to remain front of mind
Broker-Operator Relationships: A New Paradigm
A critical focus was bridging the traditional communication gap between brokers and operators and a rallying cry for greater transparency to safeguard lasting partnerships. Key recommendations included:
- Aligning Terms & Conditions to manage expectations in emergencies
- Ensuring comprehensive [SW1] [KK2] insurance and cancelation policies
- Creating transparent, detailed contracts that protect all parties involved
Stressing the importance of maintaining high standards of service, Leslie Cheshier, observed: “Next to safety – it’s about service. It’s about elevating the standards and delivering on those standards each and every time – and that’s been the big challenge. She added: It’s a service industry, a relationship industry, and that won’t go away no matter how much technology you throw into aviation.”
Cybersecurity: Protecting Our Digital Frontier
With digital threats becoming increasingly sophisticated, the panel emphasized:
- Implementing robust data security measures
- Protecting against phishing and online fraud
- Maintaining strict PCI compliance
Innovation in Action
Prestige Air Group showcased the industry’s innovative spirit by developing an in-house compliance app, demonstrating how technology can be both a defensive and competitive tool.
The Road Ahead
As business aviation continues to evolve, success will belong to those who:
- Embrace technological transformation
- Prioritize transparent communication
- Remain adaptable in a changing landscape
Our Promise
Avinode Group remains committed to empowering the business aviation ecosystem with cutting-edge solutions that drive efficiency, security, and growth.