Airways Aviation ESMA, an aeronautical academy based in France and part of the Airways Aviation Group, has appointed Lila Attal as its general manager. With over 20 years working in airlines and aviation in general, Attal has delivered through her career a deep commitment to operational excellence and performance advancement, making significant contributions across several leading airlines.

Attal began her career at Air Atlanta Icelandic, working worldwide and gaining crucial experience in international aviation operations and a solid foundation in managing complex global airline processes. She also served as station manager and outstation manager for five years for Smartlynx, managing operations across the globe, showcasing an exceptional ability to handle complex aviation challenges and ensure efficient workflows. In the last five years, she oversaw Ryanair's ground operations as regional manager for France, Spain and Portugal. In this capacity she was responsible for optimising ground operations, driving performance improvements and maintaining the highest standards of operational excellence.

“I’m truly excited and honoured to be joining Airways Aviation as general manager. This opportunity feels like the culmination of hard work and passion, and I’m eager to contribute to such an amazing team,” she says.

“We are extremely happy to welcome Lila Attal into the Airways Aviation family. She brings not only an extensive aviation background but also an international exposure that will allow her to manage our operation in France smoothly, an operation that covers civilian and military training for 150 new pilots and 300 cabin crew every year, 20,000 flight hours a year, students from 48 nationalities and a multicultural staff originating in 12 countries. Speaking five languages fluently and having lived in different countries gives her, in addition to her professional experience, the right sensibility to manage this complex and growing operation,” says Cpt Mauro Calvano, Airways Aviation ESMA president and member of Airways Aviation Group board.

With operations in Montpellier, South of France, Airways Aviation ESMA is one of the largest aviation training organisations in Europe with non-stop activity since 1988, having trained thousands of pilots, cabin crew, maintenance technician, ground handlers and other aviation professionals.

It is part of Airways Aviation Group, the largest privately owned aviation training organisation outside the US with a direct presence in 14 countries in four continents and over 45 years of experience, offering aviation training from pilot to cabin crew, for maintenance technicians, ground handlers and military programmes up to higher education programmes in cooperation with respected universities.