DETERMINATION, DRIVE and the passion to win, honed on the squash courts of Europe and running marathons in New York City, helped to make the late Athar Husain Khan a towering figure in business aviation.

But investigating his legacy with colleagues reveals a fuller picture of a thoughtful man who loved not just family, sport and aviation but much more. A man who cared for people, wanted to develop their skills, and worked hard to represent business aviation. Brought up in a bilingual family, Khan spent his early years in the Middle East, where he forged a life-long interest in the interaction of Eastern and Western cultures, religions and politics.

Khan joined the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) as secretary-general in July 2018. On his first evening with the association, Khan met Juergen Wiese, EBAA chairman for a meal at a busy café in front of the European Parliament building in Brussels. Sitting at a roadside table, Wiese was amazed to witness the number of people who recognised Khan. “Many people from the parliament who passed our table greeted Athar as they passed,” Wiese told Corporate Jet Investor (CJI). “I thought: good – we have got the right man. He was a very prominent figure – a lighthouse beacon.”

Khan’s high profile was no surprise. After graduating from the University of Leiden with a degree in European law, Human Rights law and International law, he worked for various Dutch government ministries. At the Ministry of Transport, he was senior policy adviser and negotiator on aero-political affairs. He later worked for KLM as director of Government & Industry Affairs and as CEO of the Association of European Airlines (AEA). Aviation was in Khan’s blood – he even held a pilot’s licence.

His passion for sport, including cricket and cycling, fired his determination never to give up, said Wiese. “One of his favourite sayings was: Let’s get on the front foot. He meant let’s move forward and take action.”

His interest in sustainability was “straight from his heart”, says Wiese. “He was intensively battling for a better perception of business aviation’s record on sustainability. He wanted everyone in the industry to do more and to prove that we want to change this industry to become more sustainable.”

Wiese believes business aviation needs his contribution now more than ever. “At this time, with business aviation under big pressure, a person like Athar was very instrumental and helpful to the industry.” Part of the reason was that he was such a diplomat who brought everyone together to support a common goal, said Wiese. “The good thing is he left a very strong association, a strong legacy and very good people in different positions who can continue his work. It’s very sad to lose a lighthouse figure.”

Róman Kok, senior communications manager, EBAA, adds personal testimony to Khan’s commitment to the teams he led. “From an employee perspective he took care of his people and fought to keep them employed [during the pandemic],” he tells CJI.

He also invested time in developing the skills and confidence of people in his team. “He took time to mentor people – setting two hour-long sessions per month to review progress in your professional career and personal life. And if you forgot a session, he always reminded you,” says Kok. “Lots of people aspire to be career mentors but Athar was determined to make it happen.”

Ed Bolen, president and CEO, National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), describes Khan as “a trusted partner, respected leader and true aviation professional”. He had a passion for aviation, but he threw himself into life, Bolen told CJI. “He ran three New York City Marathons. He was a world class squash player. He loved cricket, hiking, he loved travel. He was interested in politics – he was interested in life.”

Bolen recalls Khan was an international citizen who spoke multiple languages, grew up in the Middle East and went to school in Europe. (Khan’s son even worked an internship with The New York Times).

Meeting on aviation discussion panels and planning the EBACE event in Geneva, Bolen came to value Khan’s thoughtfulness and strategic planning – particularly when taking the decision to cancel the 2020 show due to Covid and to prepare for the future. His gravitas, connections within the European Commission and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) served business aviation well.

“The passing of Athar Husain Khan leaves a void,” said Bolen. “It’s up to us to move forward to fulfil the potential for business aviation that he was committed to making reality. That includes young people, growing and diversifying our workforce, promoting sustainability helping people understand the essential nature of business aviation and all the good that it creates for society – in terms of jobs and economic development, humanitarian flights and connecting communities. That would be a fitting way to honour his legacy.”

A host of other industry leaders have honoured his legacy. Kurt Edwards, director general, International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) said: “Athar was a respected leader and advocate for the European business aviation industry with a passion to share its economic and societal contributions and promote its innovation and constant commitment to reduce its environmental footprint.” Khan’s work and contributions to IBAC’s governing board as the EBAA leader were always “insightful and supportive”, he added. “All of us at IBAC send heartfelt sympathies to Athar’s family, friends and colleagues. He will be deeply missed by many.”

Pete Bunce, president and CEO, General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) said Khan was a champion and strong advocate for European business aviation. “His knowledge, expertise and savviness of the global aviation industry will be greatly missed,” said Bunce. “Athar was a good friend and was well known for his hard work, passion and dedication to fostering and advancing a healthy and robust ecosystem for our industry to flourish. His steadfast leadership and compelling voice for business aviation will forever be remembered.”

Khan was a member of the board of the British Business and General Aviation Association (BBGA). Its spokesperson hailed his 30-year dedication to improving the aviation industry in Europe. “He was instrumental in consistently and selflessly making changes for the good of the industry, always with his renowned dignity and gentle kindness,” said the spokesperson. “He will be sorely missed. We wish his family and his friends a lot of strength and our compassion.”

Let’s leave the final words to Athar Husain Khan himself, delivered in one of his last public appearances, six weeks before his death, at our CJI London 2023 conference. (The conference report appears in this edition). After an interruption by two anti-aviation protestors, Khan immediately “got on the front foot” setting out business aviation’s vital role.

“Business aviation is the Formula One of the skies,” said Khan. “It is the testbed, the incubator for aviation innovation that points the way for commercial aviation.”