The 6th IAMC

Dr. Bijan Vasigh is the President and Founder of Aviation Consulting Group and a Professor of Economics and Finance in the College of Business at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. He has extensive experience working with domestic and international law firms as an expert consultant and expert witness in complex matters involving air transport economics, aviation finance, asset valuation, and regulatory policy.Dr. Vasigh has served as a member of the Prime Minister’s Task Force of Trinidad and Tobago, where he led the investigation into the sale of seven Heathrow Airport slots previously held by British West Indies Airways (BWIA). His consulting and academic work focuses on the theory, modeling, and practical application of financial instruments in transportation and aviation finance. In his role as an expert witness and consultant, Dr. Vasigh has successfully represented both plaintiffs and defendants in high-stakes litigation, arbitration, and regulatory proceedings. Dr. Vasigh is the author of several leading aviation economics and finance textbooks widely used across North America, including An Introduction to Air Transport Economics: From Theory to Application, Foundations of Airline Finance: Methodology and Practices, and Aircraft Valuation in Volatile Market Conditions. His research and professional activities have resulted in formal collaborations with numerous domestic and international organizations and government agencies, including the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Training and Development Institute, and NASA. At NASA, he participated in a grant focused on the determination of statewide economic benefits of the Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS). Dr. Vasigh is a widely recognized authority in aviation economics and finance and has been frequently interviewed and cited by national and international media outlets, including The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, NBC News, CBS News, USA Today, Forbes, Bloomberg Businessweek, NPR’s Marketplace, Voice of Russia, El País (Spain), Rzeczpospolita (Poland), Trinidad Express, Cuba News, and The Guardian (United Kingdom).

Talal Al Hammadi is the Vice President of Air Traffic Development at Dubai Air Navigation Services (dans), where he oversees three strategic domains: Airspace Management, Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM), and Organizational Research & Development. With extensive expertise in aviation and airspace design, Talal has been a driving force behind transformative initiatives that continue to shape the UAE’s aviation future. His leadership has been central to the successful delivery of landmark projects such as the UAE Airspace Restructuring Project (ARP), the RECAT initiative, the establishment of the Airspace Management Cell (AMC), and the development of complex airspace procedures for major national milestones including the Emirates Flight Training Academy (EFTA), EXPO 2020, and COP28. Prior to joining dans in 2015, Talal served 11 years at the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) as Head of Airspace Coordination. In that role, he was responsible for designing airspace routes and regulatory frameworks, and he represented the UAE on the global stage as a member of ICAO’s Instrument Flight Procedures Panel in Montreal, contributing to international flight procedures and policy development. Throughout his career, Talal has been recognized for his exceptional contributions, receiving a Federal Government Certificate of Excellence as well as a Certificate of Appreciation for his pivotal role in the UAE Airspace Restructuring Project. Beyond aviation, Talal brings a unique multidisciplinary perspective, having served eight years as a police officer with the Sharjah Police. This diverse background in public service, security, and aviation underscores his ability to lead with both operational rigor and strategic vision. Today, Talal continues to advance innovation and operational excellence in aviation, spearheading research and development, driving the integration of emerging UTM systems, and reimagining airspace management to meet the demands of tomorrow’s skies.