Eng. Samer Majali
Vice Chairman / Board Designee CEO
Royal Jordanian
Nationality: British /Jordanian
Born: Amman, Jordan - September 14, 1957
Married
CAREER PATH AND EDUCATION
- 2021- Vice Chairman / CEO designee Royal Jordanian,
Amman, Jordan
- 2019-2021 Founder - P l a n e V i s I o n –
Corporate Strategy & Organization Advisory, Bahrain
Senior Advisor – Alton Aviation Consultancy, New
York, Dublin
- 2013-2019 Chief Executive Officer SaudiGulf Airlines / President
Al Qahtani Aviation, Abdel Hadi Al Qahtani Group,
Saudi Arabia
2013-2014 Senior Advisor to Chairman of Oman Air (Omani
Minister of Finance)
- 2009-2012 Chief Executive Officer Gulf Air, Manama, Bahrain
- 2001-2009 President & Chief Executive Officer Royal Jordanian,
Jordan
- 1989-2001 Various executive positions in Royal Jordanian in Flight
Operations, Corporate Planning, Information
Technology and Passenger Services
- 1983 M.Sc. Degree in Air Transport Management,
Cranfield Institute of Technology, UK (Lloyds Aviation
Economics Prize)
- 1979 Started career with Royal Jordanian
- 1979 B.Sc. Degree in Aeronautical Engineering and Design,
Diploma in Industrial Studies, Loughborough University
of Technology, UK
- 1975 Graduated from Dean Close School, UK
PRINCIPAL ACHIEVEMENTS
SaudiGulf Airlines
Assisted Al Qahtani Group of Companies in responding successfully to the Saudi Civil Aviation Authority (GACA) tender for the establishment of a new airline in Saudi Arabia in 2013. Headed the greenfield project of setting up the new airline until it commenced domestic operations in 2016 with four new A320 aircraft based in KFIA Dammam. Obtained IOSA certification and IATA membership in record time for a startup. Handed over to a Saudi CEO after over 2 years of successful, high quality operations and services, and with the operation extended internationally to the Gulf and Pakistan.
Oman Air
Led the Oman Air and consultant teams tasked by the Omani Ministry of Finance / Oman Air Board’s efforts to restructure the airline and improve its financial performance. Directed the team that included Booz & Co to design the structure of Oman Air Group, separating the airline from the other ancillary businesses including Ground Handling, Catering, Cargo and Engineering & Maintenance, etc. Set up the governance and management structures of the new companies including the contractual arrangements for service delivery between the companies and the airline. Created a structure to address employee transfer benefits and rights with the Ministry of Labor after the transition process. In coordination with the Ministry of Tourism / Ministry of Transport, directed the second team that included SH&E in evaluating the feasibility of setting up an LCC as an Oman Air subsidiary.
Gulf Air
Worked with the team from Mumtalakat; the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Bahrain to restructure Gulf Air by designing a new vision and strategy for the airline in view of the severe competition from the other regional carriers. Successfully implemented a strategy of a high frequency operation on regional and medium range routes with smaller aircraft offering a higher quality service to customers in terms of network density and timing convenience. Renegotiated all aircraft delivery contracts with the manufacturers Airbus & Boeing to be in line with the new strategy, without incurring penalties. Engaged with the employees and Ministry of Labor to improve employee morale and service delivery.
Royal Jordanian
Worked with the Board of Directors to restructure the airline (post 9/11) in order improve its competitiveness and reliance on government support. Restructured the airline route network and fleet and introduced quality customer service focus. All of which returned the airline to profitability from 2004 onwards. Achieved the status to be the first Arab and Middle Eastern Carrier to join the leading global alliance; OneWorld in March 2007. Lead the IPO roadshow for Royal Jordanian in coordination with CitiGroup and presented to over fifty potential investors in the Middle East, Gulf and Europe, which resulted in the first true and successful IPO of a flag carrier in the Middle East in December 2007.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society/ UK
- Chartered Engineer - Engineering Council / UK
- Member of the Engineers Association of Jordan / Jordan
- Member of the Board of Trustees- King Hussein Cancer Foundation / Jordan
- Member of the Executive Committee, Arab Air Carriers' Organization
- Ex Chairman of the IATA Board of Governors (2008-2009)
- Ex Vice Chairman of the Board, Gulf Hotel Group, Kingdom of Bahrain (2009-2012)
- Ex President, Arab Air Carriers Organization AACO, (2004-2005)
- Ex President, International Flight Catering Association IFCA, (2001-2002)
- Ex Member of the IATA Board of Governors (2005-2012)
- Ex Member of the Board, Central Bank of Jordan ( 2011-2020 )
- Ex Member of the Executive Committee, Arab Air Carriers' Organization AACO (2002-2012)