Germany-based VVIP in-flight entertainment and cabin management systems specialist IDAIR has nominated Luigi Celmi to be its new chief executive officer with effect from 1 January, 2022.

After six years of successful restructuring of IDAIR’s business in the in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) segment for VVIP aircraft, Dr Wassef Ayadi has been appointed as senior director customer relations and sales support services for the business segment original equipment and special aircraft services at Lufthansa Technik and will remain in an advisory role for IDAIR.

Celmi has worked in the aviation industry for almost 20 years and holds a Master’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the Polytechnic of Naples in Italy. Before joining IDAIR he was the CEO of Lufthansa Technik Services India and prior to that he had been the managing director of ATR, an Airbus joint venture, in Singapore.

“Luigi is a great personality, a strong business leader, and I am convinced that with his customer focused mind and his vast industry experience he is the perfect fit to continue IDAIR’S success story," says Christiane Grude, senior director original equipment innovation at Lufthansa Technik who joined the IDAIR advisory board in July this year.

"As CEO he will be committed to position IDAIR in the VVIP market as an innovator of CMS and IFEC solutions and a provider of customised software solutions. Moreover, he will build on IDAIR’s strong reliable existing and new partnerships as well as explore potential business opportunities and new markets.”

“To move to Hamburg to join IDAIR is a great step and opportunity," adds Celmi. "I’m looking forward to leading the company and to further customise the next generation of ever evolving entertainment and communications systems. With our international team of VIP aviation experts, software engineers and programme managers we want to offer our customers an exceptional IFEC experience, just like a smart home and office in the sky, to the VVIP market and beyond while expanding IDAIR’s overall competence.”