Japan’s Aviation Leaders Appointed as ICAO Global Ambassadors

The future of the global aviation industry is taking flight from Tokyo as two of Japan’s most prominent female executives step into high-profile international roles. Japan Airlines (JAL) and ANA HOLDINGS (ANA HD) have officially announced the appointment of Ms. Kumiko Miyasaka and Ms. Tomoko Hoya as the first ICAO Global Ambassadors in Japan. This appointment, made by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), marks a significant step in Japan’s commitment to shaping the global aviation workforce of tomorrow.

The future of the global aviation industry is taking flight from Tokyo as two of Japan’s most prominent female executives step into high-profile international roles. Japan Airlines (JAL) and ANA HOLDINGS (ANA HD) have officially announced the appointment of Ms. Kumiko Miyasaka and Ms. Tomoko Hoya as the first ICAO Global Ambassadors in Japan. This appointment, made by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) following a recommendation from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau, marks a significant step in Japan’s commitment to shaping the global aviation workforce of tomorrow.

The newly launched ICAO Global Ambassadors Programme is a worldwide outreach initiative designed to utilise the expertise of industry role models to inspire the next generation of professionals. By showcasing diverse and rewarding career paths, the programme aims to foster widespread participation in the industry, specifically targeting youth and women.

This initiative is closely aligned with the ICAO Strategic Plan 2026-2050, which seeks to address critical goals such as achieving zero fatalities and net-zero carbon emissions. As ambassadors, Ms. Hoya (Executive Vice President and CSO at ANA HD) and Ms. Miyasaka (Managing Executive Officer at JAL) will engage in extensive outreach through educational institutions and international conferences. By drawing on their professional journeys, they aim to encourage young people to pursue careers in an industry that serves as a vital pillar for global transport and economic development

The newly launched ICAO Global Ambassadors Programme is a worldwide outreach initiative designed to utilise the expertise of industry role models to inspire the next generation of professionals. By showcasing diverse and rewarding career paths, the programme aims to foster widespread participation in the industry, specifically targeting youth and women.

A Strategic Vision for 2050

This initiative is not merely a symbolic gesture; it is closely aligned with the ICAO Strategic Plan 2026-2050. As the industry moves towards ambitious goals—including zero fatalities and net-zero carbon emissions—the need for fresh talent and diverse perspectives has never been more critical.

Following a recommendation from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau, ICAO designated the following leaders for the role:

• Tomoko Hoya: Executive Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer at ANA HOLDINGS INC.
• Kumiko Miyasaka: Managing Executive Officer and Senior Vice President at Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.

Moving forward, these ambassadors will engage in extensive outreach through educational institutions and international conferences. Their mission is to draw on their professional journeys to encourage young people to pursue “dreams in the sky” and to promote aviation as a vital pillar of global economic development.

Voices of Leadership

The appointments have been met with enthusiasm from both carriers, reflecting a unified front in Japanese aviation. Kumiko Miyasaka of JAL noted the unique power of aviation to bridge the globe and overcome physical barriers to foster human connection. “I hope to help more people understand the value of our industry and encourage them to pursue their dreams,” she commented.

Echoing this sentiment, Tomoko Hoya of ANA HD emphasised the importance of helping individuals realise their potential. As a Chief Sustainability Officer, her role as an ambassador will likely highlight the industry’s transition towards a greener, more inclusive future, providing a modern blueprint for aspiring professionals.

Driving Diversity and Sustainability

The ICAO works with 193 Member States to develop standards and policies that underpin international air transport. By appointing ambassadors from Japan’s two largest airlines, ICAO is tapping into a wealth of operational excellence and cultural insight.

The programme is expected to advance collaboration among stakeholders both in Japan and overseas, contributing to the sustainable development of the industry. For youth and women in Japan, seeing leaders from JAL and ANA on the global stage serves as a powerful reminder that the sky is no longer a limit, but a career destination.

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Saudia Group Hits Major Milestone with Over 1,000 Aviation Graduates

The skyline of Jeddah served as the backdrop for a historic moment in regional aviation this week. In what is being hailed as one of the largest talent injections in the history of the Saudi aviation sector, Saudia Group has successfully graduated and integrated more than 1,000 trainees into its professional workforce in a single year.

This massive cohort represents more than just a graduation ceremony; it is a live-action demonstration of the Kingdom’s “Vision 2030” in motion. By absorbing these professionals across its diverse subsidiaries, Saudia Group is not just filling seats—it is building a self-sustaining ecosystem designed to propel Saudi Arabia into its next era as a global logistics and tourism hub.

A Multidisciplinary Influx of Talent

The graduation, held under the patronage of His Excellency Engr. Saleh Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, showcased a remarkably broad spectrum of expertise. These 1,000 graduates did not all follow the same path; instead, they completed eight highly specialised programmes tailored to the specific needs of the Group’s various branches.

The new professionals have been dispersed into operational roles across the entire aviation value chain:

• Flight Operations & Ground Services: Ensuring the front-line efficiency of the national carrier and Saudi Ground Services (SGS).
• Engineering & Maintenance: Bolstering the technical capabilities of Saudia Technic.
• Logistics & Catering: Strengthening SAL Saudi Logistics Services and CATRION.
• Low-Cost Growth: Supporting the rapid expansion of flyadeal.

By training and hiring within these diverse silos, Saudia Group ensures that every touchpoint of the passenger and cargo journey—from the hangar to the high-altitude cabin—is managed by a homegrown workforce trained to international standards.

Exceeding Expectations in Localisation

One of the most striking revelations from the ceremony came from His Excellency Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group. He noted that the Group has not only met its performance indicators for localising critical aviation roles but has surpassed them by staggering margins of between 43% and 230%.

This isn’t happening by accident. The Group has adopted a “Knowledge Transfer” strategy, embedding strict requirements into its contracts with global manufacturers. This ensures that when the Kingdom buys new aircraft or technology from international giants, the deal includes the transfer of technical “know-how” to Saudi nationals. This proactive approach transforms the Kingdom from a consumer of global aviation technology into a hub of domestic expertise.

Human Capital as the Ultimate Infrastructure

While new fleets and sparkling airport terminals often grab the headlines, Engr. Saleh Al-Jasser was quick to remind attendees that “human capital remains our most important investment.”

In the context of the National Aviation Strategy, this cohort is the “software” that runs the “hardware” of the Kingdom’s transport sector. As Saudi Arabia seeks to triple its annual passenger traffic and expand its air cargo capacity to 4.5 million tonnes by the end of the decade, the demand for skilled pilots, engineers, and logistics experts is insatiable.

For the graduates, this represents a career in a sector that is currently at the very heart of the country’s economic transformation. For the Group, it represents a “talent pipeline” that reduces reliance on external recruitment and fosters a corporate culture rooted in the Kingdom’s unique hospitality values.

The Global Competitive Edge

The timing of this graduation is no coincidence. As Saudia Group enters a transformative phase—characterised by a massive fleet expansion and a total overhaul of the guest experience—the need for a motivated, highly trained workforce is paramount.

Investment in national talent serves a dual purpose. Firstly, it supports the social goals of the Kingdom by creating high-value jobs for its youth. Secondly, it provides a competitive edge on the global stage. A workforce that is technically proficient and culturally aligned with the “Saudia” brand is a powerful tool in attracting international tourists and pilgrims.

As these 1,000 professionals take their places in hangars, cockpits, and control rooms, they carry with them the ambitions of a nation. They are the faces of a modern Saudi Arabia that is no longer just a destination on a map, but a global leader in how the world moves.

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