Strong senior management team for new Hong Kong-based Low Cost Airline

Oasis Hong Kong Airlines, Hong Kong’s only low cost, long-haul airline, has hired a high-level team of industry experts to spearhead the setting up and operations of the company as well as plan the airline’s rapid expansion following its launch of Hong Kong-London service in October. The senior management appointments include Kenneth Chad as Commercial Director; Andy Kumaria as Director of Operations; Chris Youlten as Manager, Operations; Atholl Buchan as Chief Pilot; Jacqueline See as Manager, Cabin Services; Raymond Ng as General Manager of Sales & Marketing, Asia Pacific; Lesley Hagan, Head of International Distribution; Peter Shannon as Head of Engineering; Michael Wirth as Head of Information Technology; Shamini Muthusamy as Head of Finance; and Louise May as Head of Marketing.

Stephen Miller, Chief Executive Officer of Oasis Hong Kong Airlines, said, “With our first flights to London set to take off from October, Oasis Hong Kong Airlines is the first to adopt a long-haul low fare carrier model in Hong Kong, offering a smart new way to fly in comfort, at unbelievable value and with personalised options to cater for individual choices. We take pride in having put together such a fine and professional senior management team with strong backgrounds in the aviation field. Committed to providing a world class product to travellers at amazing fares, we are confident about the success of our unique and viable business model with promising growth opportunities.”

An accountant by training, Kenneth Chad has managed projects across Asia Pacific over the last ten years. In Hong Kong and China, he has worked with high-net worth entrepreneurs in investment projects spanning aviation, telecommunications, logistics and the internet sectors. Fulfilling the significant role of Commercial Director of Oasis Hong Kong Airlines, Kenneth is responsible for overseeing all commercial developments including finance, sales, marketing and IT. Previously, in addition to operating his own Hong Kong-based IATA travel agency, he also established internet distribution travel agencies and joint ventures in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and China for the sale of travel products.

On the operational front, Oasis Hong Kong Airlines Director of Operations, Andy Kumaria and Manager, Operations, Chris Youlten play a pivotal role. Andy oversees management of all operational matters and ensures compliance with the requirements of the Air Operator’s Certificate. His responsibilities also embrace policy formulation and execution in the areas of organisational development, manpower planning, aircrew recruitment and training, and the safe utilisation of the aircraft. Chris is responsible for all ground operations and support functions of the airline, covering areas such as scheduling, catering, crew operations, aviation security and cargo handling.

Capt. Kumaria is a pilot with 15,500 total flying hours and previously held the position of Manager, Flight Operations (Chief Pilot) at Dragonair from 1997 to 2004. Chris Youlten’s more than 20 years aviation experience includes working for TWA, American Airlines, Air New Zealand and Ansett Australia. Following the collapse of Ansett, he set up his own consultancy providing services in aircraft evaluation, operations logistics and regulatory advice to a number of Asian airlines and transport-related companies.

Chief Pilot Atholl Buchan will be in charge of operating the airline’s two B747-400 aircraft to provide business and leisure travellers with a refreshing flying experience. He will ensure safe, efficient and economical operation of company aircraft and effective utilisation of human resources through the development and implementation of Flight Operations policy. Prior to joining Oasis Hong Kong Airlines, he held the positions of Captain of B747-400 at Cathay Pacific (1990 to 1996), Flight Operations Manager at PrivatAir (1996-2004), and Chief Pilot of VIP B737 of E&A Aviation in Moscow (2004-2005).

For in-flight services, Jacqueline See has been appointed as Manager, Cabin Services to set up Oasis Hong Kong Airlines’ Cabin Services Department. In addition to cabin crew recruitment and training, Jacqueline will work with the company’s Product Manager to develop and deliver products effectively onboard. Jacqueline started her aviation career in 1979 as Cabin Crew with Singapore Airlines and was promoted to Leading Stewardess in 1989. After working in Cathay Pacific and Myanmar International Airways from 1991 to 1995, she moved to Air Macau to develop their start up operations as well as formulate and implement a high level of in-flight and cabin crew services.

As a key member of the senior management team, the General Manager of Sales & Marketing, Asia Pacific, Raymond Ng will be responsible for all sales, marketing account management and customer service activity in Asia. With 30 years experience in the travel industry, Raymond specialises in strategy formulation and marketing, business processing and channel distribution. Raymond is best known in the industry for managing the successful agency distribution network for United Airlines in Hong Kong between 1983-1996. He gained international recognition with P&O Travel Canada as their company director before moving back to Hong Kong as Manager of Dragonair. In 2004, he joined Citizen Thunderbird Travel Limited as Deputy General Manager and launched a major re-development and expansion programme to ensure it continued to thrive as one of Hong Kong’s largest travel management companies.

To cover sales and distribution of Oasis Hong Kong Airlines’ tickets beyond the Asia Pacific region, Lesley Hagan has been appointed as Head of International Distribution. With over 25 years experience in the airline industry, Lesley will be responsible for the management and coordination of General Sales Agents, distribution policies and procedures, call centre development, and customer service standards. Lesley spent 20 years at Cathay Pacific and was responsible for reservations and ticketing, sales and distribution, and call centre operations in the UK and Europe. Prior to joining Oasis Hong Kong Airlines, she was the Reservations and Ticketing Manager of Cathay Pacific’s Marco Polo Club and Asia Miles frequent flyer programmes for three years.

Peter Shannon is Head of Engineering and is responsible for the airworthiness and regulatory compliance of the Oasis Hong Kong Airlines fleet. His Engineering team manages the outsourcing of engine and airframe maintenance and the modification and configuration control of aircraft systems and cabin product. With over 42 years of experience, Peter worked in a variety of engineering positions in Qantas Airways for 27 years and Cathay Pacific for 13 years. He was in charge of the establishment and management of Dragonair’s Engineering Services Department before joining Oasis Hong Kong Airlines.

Michael Wirth is Head of Information Technology. Michael has a marketing and technology background with a focus on travel and E-Commerce. He is responsible for Oasis Hong Kong Airlines’ global I.T. strategy and Enterprise Architecture, information and distribution systems, as well as business process and security management. Michael formerly held the role of CIO at ebookit.com, where he successfully led the integration of the I.T. infrastructure, working with global travel technology suppliers. Before joining ebookit.com, he was Electronic Commerce Development Manager with Bosch and Siemens Home Appliance Group and previously was Marketing Manager responsible for Siemens’ marketing. Prior tenures were with Internet travel pioneers HexMac AG of Germany and Media 21 of Singapore.

Shamini Muthusamy joins Oasis Hong Kong Airlines as Head of Finance. Her role and responsibilities include strategy planning, accounting, budgeting, treasury and route revenue. Shamini worked for AirAsia Bhd, South-East Asia’s largest low cost carrier where she held the position of Treasurer being in charge of aircraft financing, fuel hedging, asset and liability management, and liquidity control.

With a broad understanding of the airline industry, Louise May joins as Head of Marketing. She is responsible for all facets of corporate and brand promotion, marketing strategy development, public relations, advertising and trade communications programme planning and execution. Louise has 10 years of marketing communications management experience. She worked in British Airways for six years, during which four years was spent in the UK in the fields of public relations, direct marketing, business to business marketing and frequent flyer programme development. In addition, she was Marketing Manager for Australia and New Zealand for British Airways based in Sydney overseeing all marketing activities.

Oasis Hong Kong Airlines

Taking off from October 2006, Oasis Hong Kong Airlines is pioneering a fresh approach to provide passengers the best choice in low fare, long distance travel. The airline is committed to making long haul flights accessible to more people. Travellers can choose to fly non-stop business or economy from Hong Kong to London, with further destinations planned.

See other recent news regarding: Travel News Asia, Oasis Hong Kong