Former CEO of Etihad Airways joins PA as Senior Advisor
PA Consulting has announced that the former CEO of Etihad Airways will join its specialist aviation team, which includes the 2017 acquisition, Nyras. Peter Baumgartner brings more than 20 years of aviation experience to his role as Senior Advisor.
Over the last four years, a number of emergent trends have seen demand for consultants in the aviation sector soar. This inevitably led to a flurry of merger and acquisition activity, as numerous consultancies sought to expand their offerings in aviation and take advantage of heightened business advisory need in the industry. Oliver Wyman subsidiary Cavok purchased AVISA for an undisclosed fee, while global aviation group Air Partner likewise snapped up Safeskys. This also saw PA Consulting break its five-year hiatus from M&A moves, purchasing aviation consultancy Nyras in 2017.
The acquisition of Nyras brought new capabilities to PA, and enabled the global aviation team to offer additional support to an industry facing significant change. Three years later, industry expert Peter Baumgartner has joined PA’s aviation group as it looks to shape its future strategy.
Baumgartner said of the news, “Throughout my career, it was impossible not to turn to Richard and his team in moments when exceptional subject matter expertise was required. I highly value their innovation and ability to contribute to successful outcomes. It’s with great delight that I will now work with Richard and his growing team of aviation experts at PA. I look forward to helping further develop their understanding of the complex needs of their aviation clients and am eager to continue to make an impact in the aviation industry.”
Bringing 22 years of experience to PA as a Senior Advisor at Nyras, Baumgartner has had a prolific career to date. He arrives from a 13-year spell with Etihad Aviation Group – the last two of which came as Chief Executive Officer. He also held numerous senior positions with SwissAir, where he worked between 1998 and 2004.
As a Senior Advisor, his next career chapter will see him establish PA’s Aviation Advisory Board – a non-executive group of senior aviation professionals. The Board will help shape the strategy of PA’s growing aviation business and support the on-going service to its aviation clients and the wider industry.
Richard Davey, Global Head of Aviation at PA Consulting, said, “I have worked with Peter for over twenty years, and have the highest respect for his achievements in the industry. I am extremely pleased to be able to continue to work with him as he moves on from Etihad Aviation Group. He will provide the industry insights and perspectives to take our business to its next stage of development.”
PA’s aviation business provides consulting advice to the global aviation industry with a focus on transactions and investments, competitive strategy, business efficiency, sustainability, and the application of technology from a strong industry perspective. PA’s diverse team of aviation experts combines industry experience with a legacy in innovation, ensuring PA develops and delivers ingenious solutions for its clients, which include airlines, airports, aviation service companies, investors and governments.
