ABNcast

Lee Hayhurst caught up with Ian Thompson, founder of events company Aviation Network Group to discuss the story behind ANG’s creation, why community matters in aviation, and how their exclusive events and discussions help members stay ahead of trends without sales pitches - just honest, high-value conversations.

In this episode, we bring together three forward-thinking leaders shaping the future of aviation and advanced manufacturing. Mahmoud El Sawah, Founder and CEO of AirNxt, Zoe O'Byrne, Sales Executive at Eirtrade Aviation, and Sean Simons, Co-Founder and CEO of Robot Toolworx, share insights on innovation, automation, sustainability, and the evolving aviation ecosystem. From next-generation air mobility to MRO solutions and robotics-driven manufacturing, this conversation explores how technology and leadership are redefining the industry.

Lee Hayhurst brings all the action from Day One at the Inaugural PAM MENA conference in Dubai, with interviews from:

• Kamal Patel, Chief Growth Officer at AireXpert
• Shakespear Nyamande, Head of Paperless Digitalisation Project at Jaramco,
• Buthaina Alghunaim, Airworthiness Duty Manager at Gulf Air

In this third of a mini-series of three ABNcast episodes featuring James Spalding, Regional Director for Northern Europe & North America at Trip.com, ABN's Lee Hayhurst talks about what happens when things don't go according to plan. How is Trip.com able to assist its airline partners to cope and recover in situations of irregular operations by being that conduit between them and customers looking for advice and information about what to do when travel is disrupted.

Lee Hayhurst, Editorial Director at Aviation Business News, sat down with James Spalding, Regional Director for Northern Europe & North America at Trip.com Group, at their London office for an insightful conversation on the evolving travel landscape. 🌍 From post-pandemic recovery to digital innovation and shifting traveller behaviours, James shares expert perspectives on what’s next for the global travel industry. Don't miss this deep dive into one of the sector's leading online travel platforms.

The first of ABNcast's mini series with Trip.com.

Finland topped the world rankings for being the happiest place on earth for the eighth year running in 2025, so what’s it like to live and work there in the country’s flourishing aviation sector? ABNcast finds out by talking to Harri Ojala, Chief Executive of Business Tampere, about the region’s focus on the aviation sector, and also its expertise in technology and innovation due to its historic connections with Finnish telecommunications company Nokia.

At our PAM Europe, Dublin conference 2025, Lee Hayhurst catches up with:

• Stephen Rayner, PM Senior technical Engineer, British Airways
• Honor Powrie, Snr Director of Data Analytics, GE Aerospace
• Cameron Byrd, CEO & Founder, AIXI Inc.

Together, they explored the latest breakthroughs in predictive maintenance—from smarter data insights to more efficient fleet operations.

At our PAM Europe, Dublin conference 2025, Lee Hayhurst catches up with:

• Darren Macer, Principle Senior Technical Fellow, Maintenance Strategy and Vision, Boeing
• Jeff Smith, Head of Digital Product Programs, Parker Aerospace
• Pascal Parant, Group Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer, Vallair

Together, they explored the latest breakthroughs in predictive maintenance—from smarter data insights to more efficient fleet operations.

At our PAM Europe, Dublin conference in October 2025, Lee Hayhurst caught up with:

1. Craig Lynch, Predictive Aircraft Maintenance at Easy
2. Aude Fagour, Predictive Aircraft Engineer, Air France/KLM
3. Conor O'Brien, Technical Director, EirTrade Aviation

Together, they explored the latest breakthroughs in predictive maintenance—from smarter data insights to more efficient fleet operations. They also reflected on the encouraging rise of women entering engineering, and what it means for the future of aviation.