Operating judgement
Helping boards, owners and investors assess operational, regulatory and commercial risk.
INDEPENDENT AVIATION ADVISORY
Experience at the helm.
Independent judgement in the boardroom.
Board, strategic and operational perspective for aviation owners, investors and leadership teams.
Edward Alsford is available for selected Non-Executive Director, Board Advisory and retained strategic aviation appointments.
UK-BASED / INTERNATIONAL REACH
A clear view.
A practical way forward.
Built on more than 25 years of international aviation leadership, EJA Services supports boards, owners and senior management facing complex strategic, operational and regulatory decisions.
Led by Edward Alsford — former Managing Director, COO and Accountable Manager — EJA brings first-hand executive experience into the boardroom without becoming part of day-to-day management.
Edward provides independent challenge, practical judgement and aviation-specific insight across growth, governance, regulatory oversight, operational risk and business transformation.
25+Years aviation leadership
Board-level perspectiveIndependent judgement
International experienceSpecialist and regional aviation
BOARD & INVESTOR PERSPECTIVE
Advice for Boards, Owners & Investors
Independent challenge grounded in more than 25 years of international aviation leadership, with first-hand responsibility for airline operations, regulatory accountability, start-ups, growth and transactions.
Areas of contribution include:
Growth & transformation
Supporting start-ups, fleet introduction, organisational change, scaling and the transition from concept to sustainable operation.
Owner & investor support
Independent assessment of aviation businesses, management capability, execution plans, operational risk and strategic priorities.
Non-Executive Director · Board Adviser · Retained Strategic Adviser
EJA does not simply provide technical aviation advice. It brings the perspective of someone who has led airlines, carried Accountable Manager responsibility and had to make decisions where commercial, regulatory and operational consequences were real.
HOW EJA CAN HELP
How EJA Can Support
EJA is most useful where aviation expertise, commercial judgement and independent perspective need to come together.
Retained Strategic Advisory
Ongoing independent support to owners, founders and senior leadership teams.
Relevant experience: Viking Air · Soneva · REGENT Craft · Sky Think Tank
Investor & Transaction Support
Commercial and operational assessment before and after investment.
Relevant experience: EDO Floats · Bain Capital
Board & NED Appointments
Governance, constructive challenge and aviation-specific oversight.
Airline Start-ups & AOC Readiness
Practical guidance from business concept through regulatory approval and operational launch.
Relevant experience: Manta Air
Seaplane, Floatplane & Regional Airline Operations
Experienced in Twin Otter seaplane and floatplane operations and ATR regional airline operations, providing specialist advice on aircraft introduction, operating models and service development.
Relevant experience: Trans Maldivian Airways · Soneva · Manta Air
Twin Otter Sourcing & Placement
Supporting buyers, sellers, lessors and operators in sourcing and placing DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft for purchase, sale and lease. Bringing practical operating experience and established industry relationships to identifying suitable aircraft and matching them with customer requirements.
Relevant experience: Trans Maldivian Airways · Soneva · Manta Air · Rocky Mountain Aircraft
Commercial & Stakeholder Management
Independent support for commercial negotiations, lessor and operator liaison, and stakeholder communication—helping aviation businesses resolve issues while preserving working relationships.
Relevant experience: AEVEX
Selected Project & Interim Assignments
Support for defined projects and periods of transition, restructuring or expansion, including interim executive and Accountable Manager leadership where appropriate.
Relevant experience: Viking Air · Pacific Sky Aviation · European Coastal Airlines
EXPERIENCE THAT TRAVELS
A Record of Leadership and Delivery
A career built around creating, leading and developing aviation businesses, with direct responsibility for commercial, operational and regulatory outcomes.
Edward’s executive career provides boards with the perspective of someone who has held direct responsibility for airline performance, safety, regulatory compliance, people, fleet growth and major strategic decisions — while understanding the distinction between governance and executive management.
His earlier career included senior operational roles at British Mediterranean Airways and GB Airways, both British Airways franchise operators.
Edward AlsfordAVIATION CONSULTANT · EJA SERVICES LTD
TRANS MALDIVIAN AIRWAYS
Managing Director &
Accountable Manager
September 2008 – June 2013
Leadership of a major seaplane / floatplane operation with 24 DHC-6 aircraft and approximately 475 staff, including fleet growth and the transition through its sale to Blackstone.
MANTA AIR
Chief Operating Officer & Accountable Manager
May 2018 – May 2023
Project-managed Manta Air’s start-up phase before becoming Accountable Manager. The airline achieved its AOC within nine months and operated its first commercial flight in February 2019. Led the introduction of ATR 72-600 services, followed by DHC-6 seaplane / floatplane operations in October 2019.
VP Business Development
May 2023 – April 2025
REGENT CRAFT
Aviation Adviser
January 2021 – present
Recruited as REGENT Craft’s first external aviation consultant. Providing periodic advice, drawing on experience in commercial seaplane and regional airline operations.
EJA SERVICES LTD
Independent Aviation Consultancy
January 2014 – present
Independent aviation consultancy supporting owners, investors and leadership teams with strategic advice, airline start-ups, operational and regulatory oversight, and commercial stakeholder management. Engagements range from defined projects to retained advisory support.
CONSULTANCY EXPERIENCE
Selected clients and advisory engagements
Selected consultancy and advisory engagements.
Viking Air
Pacific Sky Aviation
EDO Floats
European Coastal Airlines
Soneva Resorts
AlphaSights
Bain Capital
Third Bridge- Manta Air
Unity Aviation Canada Ltd.
Rocky Mountain Aircraft- Regent Craft
Wipaire
Sky Think Tank
Sky Mobility
AEVEX
WORK WITH EDWARD
Support That Fits Your Business
Engagements are tailored to the support your business needs—from a few hours each month or a defined project to an ongoing advisory relationship or a more substantial assignment.
Scope and commitment are agreed at the outset, with room to grow as your needs develop.
YOUR NEXT CHAPTER
Independent experience for consequential aviation decisions.
For Non-Executive Director, Board Advisory, retained strategic or selected investor-support discussions, contact Edward Alsford through EJA Services.
Based in Ascot, United Kingdom · Working internationally