Ground handler Menzies Aviation has confirmed that Ehab Aziz has been appointed as its non-executive chairman and Hassan El-Houry as its chief executive.
Philipp Joeinig will step down as group chief executive and board member as of 31 July.
Aziz has been with Agility, Menzies’ parent company, for more than 25 years.
Working alongside leadership teams across different sectors, he has helped build and scale global businesses, led major acquisitions and a landmark divestiture that together created and unlocked billions of dollars in value, the handler said in a statement.
A non-executive director of Menzies since 2022, he has since then helped shape the company’s strategy and direction.
As non-executive chairman, Aziz will head the board and work closely with the Menzies executive team on strategy, governance and stewardship.
He commented: “Menzies is well positioned for its next phase, with a strong team, a clear strategy and the right foundations to deliver it.
“The board’s focus is on setting a clear long-term direction, holding the business to high standards of governance and performance, and ensuring it has what it needs to invest in its people, its customers and its markets.
“As non-executive chairman, I will work closely with Hassan and the executive team to build on what has been achieved and create sustainable, long-term value for our customers, our people and our shareholders.”
Meanwhile, chief executive El-Houry brings two decades of experience building and scaling global aviation services businesses. Before joining Menzies, he transformed Kuwait City-headquartered handler National Aviation Services (NAS) – also owned by Agility – from a single station into “the leading aviation services provider across emerging markets”, the Menzies statement informed.
He also played a leading role in Agility’s acquisition of Menzies in 2022 and its integration with NAS to create the world’s largest aviation services company.
As executive chairman of Menzies since then, he has shaped strategy and guided the business through a period of significant growth and record financial performance, the statement added.
El-Houry said: “We have an exceptional team, a leading market position and a clear strategy for growth,” and said that he would be looking to “build on our momentum, invest in our people, strengthen customer partnerships and continue delivering safe, reliable and high-quality aviation services across six continents”.
Though senior executive alterations are being made, Menzies Aviation confirmed that its strategic priorities “remain unchanged”.
That confirmation also came in the wake of the announcement last month (June) that Menzies Aviation would integrate its freight forwarding subsidiary Air Menzies International (AMI) in order to offer a broader service to customers.
Under the integration, AMI, which provides wholesale airfreight services, will continue to operate under its own brand but will become part of the Menzies Aviation Cargo division led by Beau Paine, executive vice president of cargo, and the company’s regional divisions.
Meanwhile, executive vice president, AMI Carlos Font would leave the business.
The company said it would as a result be able to offer ground handling, cargo management, freight forwarding and e-commerce capabilities through Menzies Cargo.
The decision to integrate followed a strategic review undertaken by the Menzies Aviation executive management board.
“This is a positive development for both businesses,” said Paine. “By bringing AMI into our cargo division, we can offer airline partners and customers something unique – the depth of AMI’s freight forwarding expertise combined with the scale and reach of Menzies Aviation.”
