Keith Watson Email & Phone Number

My 34 years of working life spanned the aviation industry - providing me with many amazing opportunities.The complexity and intrigue of the aviation industry is what attracted me, and 33 years ago I completed my apprenticeship and qualified as an aircraft mechanic. I further went on to study and completed from Wits Business School a National Diploma in Production Management and a BTech in Business Administration.At SAA Technical I spent time in heavy maintenance, working in the modification section on B747 aircraft. From here I moved into the aircraft maintenance planning environment and then into the engine planning and documentation section. I was integral in the implementation of the EMPC IT system (Engine Maintenance Production Control), which schedules and tracks maintenance activity on the fleet. In 2001 I was promoted into the Marketing Customer and Support business unit as manager responsible for the Comair account. In 2005 I moved to Comair as an Engineering Manager and was responsible for managing the contracted suppliers who maintained Comair’s fleet of aircraft, engines, components and landing gears. Following a promotion to the Senior Engineering Manager, this added the responsibility of managing Comair’s team of Engineering Manager’s and support staff.I then attained the position as Executive Manager Engineering and Fleet, responsible for the safety and maintenance of the entire fleet of 26 Boeing B737 aircraft.In this executive role, primary focus of responsible has been the negotiations and agreements of a number of lease aircraft and acquisitions, as well as engine maintenance and MRO agreements.The most recent significant achievements(i) has been the instrumental role played in the negotiation and signing of the Comair Ltd and Lufthansa Technik Total Operations Management agreement, which will see Lufthansa partnering with Comair for the maintenance and engineering of their fleet going forward.(ii) managing the organizations fleet and maintenance suppliers through a business rescue process

Listed skills include Aircraft, Commercial Aviation, Airports, Airlines, and 18 others.