Kamil Al-Awadhi is IATA’s Regional Vice-President for Africa and Middle East (AME), one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing regions in aviation. Kamil represents IATA in 68 countries, serving 57 airlines across AME. He leads the execution of IATA’s global strategic priorities at the regional level and advocates on behalf of industry to maintain global safety levels, enhance connectivity particularly across Africa, to reduce costs for airlines and to ensure the sustainability of air transport in the region.

He works hand-in-hand with regional partners such as AACO, ACAO AFCAC, AFRAA, and ICAO towards the advancement of air transport as a social and economic enabler in the region.

Prior to joining IATA, Kamil was the CEO of Kuwait Airways and held various key positions at the airline in the areas of safety, security, quality management and enterprise resource planning over his 31-year career in the aviation industry.

A Kuwaiti national, Kamil holds an MBA in Aerospace Management from the Toulouse Business School and an Engineering degree in Aircraft Maintenance Management from Air Service Training (AST) in the UK.