In this edition of State of Aviation, I speak with an industry veteran, Niko Ivanov, who has spent 11 years at Avcon Jet, rising from Flight Operations Officer to Ground Operations Manager. His journey through the ranks has given him a front-row seat to aviation's digital transformation—from implementing paperless systems to integrating AI into daily operations.
Key takeaways
- Digital transformation is reshaping aviation: AI and digitalization are fundamentally changing ground operations, from predictive analytics to automated resource allocation.
- Custom software development in aviation connects complex systems: Airlines are unifying flight planning, crew scheduling, and ground handling into streamlined platforms that reduce errors and improve visibility.
- Safety culture still requires human leadership: Building strong safety cultures depends on leadership by example and empowering teams to exceed standards, not just meet them.
- Skills gap in operational judgment: New professionals excel with systems but often lack confidence in real-time decision-making and understanding the full operational picture.
- AI should enhance, not replace, human expertise: The best approach ensures people maintain final authority over safety-critical decisions while AI handles routine tasks.
Q: What drew you to aviation, and what key moments shaped your career?
Ivanov: I’ve been fascinated by aviation statistics since my early 20s - things like the busiest airports, longest routes, and heaviest aircraft. A pivotal moment was when I read about the 1977 Tenerife airport disaster, the deadliest accident in aviation history, which deepened my interest in the industry. When I applied to Avcon Jet, it was initially for a Travel Agent role. However, the management noticed my passion for aviation, as mentioned in my CV, and offered me a position as a Flight Dispatcher/Flight Operations Officer instead. I worked in that role for nearly six years, during which I developed a strong interest in aviation regulations and safety. Since these areas were primarily handled by the Ground Operations department, I proactively requested a transfer when the opportunity arose.
Q: What major trends are shaping aviation today? What challenges do you see operators facing in the next few years?
Ivanov: Two big trends I see are digitalization and sustainability. At Avcon Jet, we’ve moved a lot of processes to paperless systems and real-time tracking, which makes us more efficient but also means we’ve had to focus more on cybersecurity and training. Sustainability is also a big driver - from looking at SAF options to optimizing routes for lower emissions.
Looking ahead, I think the main challenges will be moving ahead to more complex regulations, dealing with the shortage of skilled staff in operations, and managing fuel price swings and geopolitical disruptions. In my experience, operators that stay agile, invest in their teams, and keep compliance at the forefront are the ones who adapt best.
Q: You focus on fostering a “culture of safety and operational excellence." How do you actually build and maintain that culture within your team?
Ivanov: For me, safety culture starts with leading by example - if I treat procedures and compliance as non-negotiable, the team will follow. I also make safety a shared responsibility, so people feel comfortable raising concerns or ideas without fear of blame.
In practice, that means regular briefings, learning from real incidents, reinforcing procedures on the job, and recognizing staff who show proactive safety behavior. When the team feels informed, listened to, and trusted, they don’t just meet safety standards — they look for ways to exceed them.
Q: Where do you see AI having the biggest impact in ground operations and flight dispatching? What excites you most about these changes - and what concerns you?
Ivanov: I see AI having the biggest impact in predictive analytics – spotting potential delays, optimizing routes, and forecasting ground handling demand. That frees up dispatchers and ground staff to focus on higher-level decision-making and safety oversight.
What excites me is how it can cut repetitive work and improve consistency. My main concern is over-reliance - AI is only as good as the data it’s fed, and we can’t lose critical thinking skills. For me, AI should support human expertise, with people always making the final call on safety.
Q: What operational challenges would benefit most from custom software? How do you decide which new technologies are worth implementing?
Ivanov: Custom software brings the most value where we handle large amounts of repetitive data across different systems - like linking flight planning, crew scheduling, ground handling, and fuel coordination in one platform. It cuts duplication, reduces errors, and improves visibility.
When deciding on new tech, I look at whether it solves a real operational problem, delivers a clear ROI, and integrates well with existing workflows. I also involve the team early, because if people don’t use it, it won’t add value.
Q: What skills gaps do you see in aviation today?
Ivanov: I think the biggest gap is balancing technical skills with operational judgment. Many new professionals are great with systems but less confident making real-time decisions or understanding the full operational picture.
We can close that gap with scenario-based training, cross-department exposure, and strong mentorship - not just on technical skills, but also on communication and teamwork, which are critical in aviation.
Q: What aviation publications, websites, or resources do you follow to stay updated in such a fast-changing field?
Ivanov: I stay updated through a mix of industry publications like Aviation Week, FlightGlobal, and OPS GROUP, as well as ICAO, FAA and EASA updates for regulatory changes. I also follow operational safety reports, NOTAM updates, and airport bulletins daily.
For ongoing learning, I make time for webinars, industry conferences, and networking with peers - you often learn as much from real-world case sharing as from formal training. I also encourage my team to share new insights so we’re learning collectively, not just individually.
Q: How do you see ground operations changing in the next 10 years? What advice would you give someone starting their aviation career today?
Ivanov: Over the next 10 years, I see ground operations becoming more digital, with AI and automation handling routine tasks like resource allocation and documentation, while people focus more on oversight, problem-solving, and safety. Sustainability will also be a bigger driver - from greener equipment to more efficient processes.
For someone starting in aviation today, my advice is to build both technical and soft skills. Learn the systems, understand the regulations, but also develop communication and teamwork. And stay curious - technology and rules will keep evolving, so the people who adapt the fastest will have the strongest careers.
