A proven track record in aviation leadership
Sky Aviation
TUI Group
Virgin Atlantic
Global Aviation Professional
C-Level Stakeholder Management
Airline & Airport Operations
Commercial Contracts & Charges
ESG-SAF
Career Highlights
Aviation Consultant – Sky Aviation Global
- Supporting HNW clients with the research and development planning of widebody aircraft, helicopters, and airport infrastructure mandates worldwide.
- Leading ESG and NetZero aviation strategies, including Scope 1, 2 & 3 analysis and calculations.
- Responsible for strategic stakeholder engagement between airport and airline leadership teams.
- Delivering biotech-led fuel efficiency and aircraft cleaning technologies (Avitech Solutions).
- Providing capital investment support and feasibility study analysis, including optioneering reports.
- Actively collaborating with UK universities on aviation infrastructure, sustainability, and lightweight material R&D
Biotechnology – Aviation Cleaning & Fuel Efficiency
- Creator of Avitech AFSS (Aircraft Fuel Saving Solutions) – a biotech surface coating that reduces drag friction, improves fuel burn, and lowers emissions.
- Led the development of Avitech Clean, a 100% plant-based, ISO9001/BN/EN-certified aviation cleaner.
- Avitech Clean eliminates 99.999% of germs and viruses (including coronavirus, SARS, Norovirus, E. coli) while being non-toxic, vegan, and safe for passengers, crew, and aircraft surfaces.
- Oversaw M&A and investment activities to drive growth, gain access to new technologies, and support market expansion.
Global Airport Commercial Consultant – TUI Group
- Oversaw commercial delivery across 180+ global airports, supporting the TUI Group’s international operations.
- Managed economic regulation engagements and airport charges consultations, including with AENA (Spain) and ASUR (Mexico).
- Negotiated high-value annual airport contracts and airline incentive schemes (£M+/€M+) across Europe and Latin America.
- Founding member of AENA’s Slot Coordination Company, supporting airport and airline growth strategies through operational slot optimisation.
Airline & Airport Consultant – Gatwick Airport (AOC, BAA, Ferrovial, GIP)
- Served as Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for 80+ operating airlines and senior airport stakeholders.
- Directed CAPEX/OPEX stakeholder delivery across terminal infrastructure, F&B, retail, and property projects.
- Led airline negotiations on airport charges, operational incentive schemes, and commercial frameworks.
- Represented airline stakeholders in CAA regulatory consultations and Government policy engagements.
- Delivered over £30m+ in cost savings, supporting Gatwick’s £1bn+ Capital Investment Programme.
Led ORAT (Operational Readiness Airport Transfer) planning and execution during major terminal transitions.
Airport Manager – TUI Group [Gatwick & Dublin Airports]
- Managed day-to-day operations and customer service delivery across two major UK & Irish airport hubs.
- Chaired the Airline Operators Committee (AOC) at Gatwick, leading cross-airline collaboration and airport coordination.
- Focused on on-time performance (OTP), turnaround processes, and operational stakeholder engagement.
Head of Aircraft Operations – Virgin Group (Aviation) [Gatwick and Heathrow Airports]
- Led Virgin Atlantic’s airside and landside operations teams, ensuring operational resilience and brand service quality.
- Developed and implemented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Airport Operating Manuals.
- Oversaw safety, compliance, and performance management aligned with Virgin’s premium passenger experience.
CAPEX-ORAT
Master Planning
Network Development & Incentives
CUPPS/BRS SM&P
Travel & Tourism
Over 25 years of aviation experience
Expertise in ESG-SAF strategy, stakeholder engagement, ORAT, and infrastructure delivery
With more than 25 years of international aviation experience, Simon Elliott has played a pivotal role in shaping strategies and delivering programmes that drive operational excellence, stakeholder alignment, and long-term sector growth. His work spans airlines, airports, regulators, and government bodies—bringing clarity, leadership, and commercial focus to complex aviation environments.
A Proven Track Record in Aviation Leadership
Simon brings deep expertise in managing complex stakeholder relationships, negotiating high-value commercial agreements, and delivering critical infrastructure projects across some of the world’s busiest aviation hubs. He combines strategic vision with operational discipline—ensuring all projects meet their performance, regulatory, and commercial objectives.
His strength in leading C-level stakeholder engagement and high-impact negotiations ensures full alignment across partners—maximising outcomes operationally, financially, and environmentally.
Areas of Expertise
Simon specialises in bridging strategy, operations, regulation, stakeholder management, commercial negotiations and sustainability across the full aviation value chain:
Short-haul, long-haul, landside, airside, turnaround optimisation.
Regulated and non-regulated agreements, airport charges, airline incentives.
Airline committees, AOC/ACC representation, regulatory consultations.
End-to-end project delivery from business case to operational readiness.
Scope 1, 2 & 3 strategy development, SAF planning, fuel-saving solutions.
Forecasting, capacity planning, traffic mix, slot strategy.
CUPPS, BRS, SM&P contract strategy and implementation.
Destination marketing, route support and economic development.
Impact Highlights
- Led the stakeholder strategy for major airport expansions—including terminal extensions, new contact stands, runway rehabilitation, security upgrades, and E-gate immigration solutions
- Oversaw ORAT planning for complex infrastructure programmes involving multiple airline and regulatory partners
- Developed commercial strategies for airport business plan reviews alongside leading consultants (ATKINS, WSP, ICF, Faithful+Gould)
- Introduced biotechnology-based aviation solutions, such as Avitech AFSS and Avitech Clean, improving aircraft fuel efficiency and safety standards
- Actively driving the transition toward Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Scope 1–3 carbon reduction programmes across the sector
A Vision for Aviation’s Future
Simon’s consultancy is grounded in strategic leadership, commercial insight, and operational delivery. His approach balances regulatory compliance, environmental responsibility, and stakeholder alignment—delivering measurable outcomes that support a more sustainable, connected, and resilient aviation industry.