The Inside Brief: Menzies chief on aviation’s recovery and a lifetime of navigating crises
When you look out of the aircraft window on the apron, the people turning your flight around probably work for Menzies . Its chief executive, Hassan El Houry, manages 65,000 of them across 65 countries and joined me for the launch edition of season two of The Inside Brief . This was days after the security incident on flydubai flight FZ1073 , which diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia on September…
In a recent episode of The Inside Brief, Hassan El Houry, the chief executive of Menzies, discussed the recovery of the aviation industry following recent security incidents and the impact of rising costs. With 65,000 employees across 65 countries, El Houry emphasized that airlines must rebuild public confidence, noting that security measures for staff are as rigorous as those for passengers.
Despite the recent diverts and investigations, El Houry remains optimistic about recovery, drawing parallels to post-9/11 and post-COVID recoveries. He predicts that once peace and clarity return, airlines will bounce back swiftly. However, the industry faces significant cost pressures, with jet fuel prices having surged and ticket prices remaining exorbitantly high.
Despite these challenges, El Houry remains confident, citing strong demand from passengers and a projected record of five billion flights this year. He also shared insights into his own journey, recounting how early exposure to risk and resilience shaped his leadership approach. El Houry's career, marked by bold choices and adaptability, has positioned Menzies as a leader in the aviation sector, with ambitious plans for the Gulf region.
Written by urgent.news from The National Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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