About
John Wensveen, Ph.D.
President & CEO
Dr. John Wensveen is an internationally recognized aviation and space strategist, educator, author and executive with extensive experience in airline development, aviation business planning, space management and operations, innovation, entrepreneurship and organizational leadership. His work spans the development and implementation of complex aviation, aerospace and space initiatives, from strategic planning and business development to operational management and the creation of new ventures.
Dr. Wensveen is President & CEO of Airline Visions, LLC, a strategic advisory and “idea factory” specializing in the development of aviation, aerospace and space ventures. His expertise includes air transportation management, airline startups and restructuring, operations, entrepreneurship, business planning and strategic development. His interests also extend to the cruise industry, particularly where its business models, trends, challenges and opportunities intersect with those of commercial aviation.
In the training and education sector, he works with industry to address the global talent gap through initiatives including iPOP™ (Industry Partnership Opportunity Pipeline), designed to strengthen connections among industry, education and workforce development.
Dr. Wensveen is a certified external IATA instructor, author, professional keynote speaker, frequent media commentator and expert witness in matters related to air carrier management and operations. He has published multiple editions of two leading books: Air Transportation: A Global Management Perspective (Routledge) and Wheels Up: Airline Business Plan Development (Krieger Publishing).
Professional Experience
His career spans senior leadership positions in higher education and industry, including President of International Space University (France); Provost & Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and College Operations at Broward College (Florida); Chief Innovation Officer at Nova Southeastern University (Florida); Professor and Head of the School of Aviation & Transportation Technology at Purdue University (Indiana); Dean of the School of Aviation at Dowling College (New York); Professor in the College of Business at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Florida); Partner/EVP at Mango Aviation Partners (London); Global Head, Airline Services at Radixx International (Florida); Founding Member/EVP of MAXjet Airways (Washington, DC); Senior Director, New Business Planning at Marriott (Florida); and Manager, Pacific Rim at Canada 3000 Airlines (Canada).
Through his leadership at International Space University and his broader work in the space sector, Dr. Wensveen has developed extensive expertise in space management, operations, entrepreneurship and strategy, with particular emphasis on the emerging commercial space economy. His work focuses on the intersection of aviation, aerospace and space, including emerging business models, organizational development, workforce requirements and the strategic and operational challenges facing these rapidly evolving industries.
Dr. Wensveen earned Ph.D. and M.Phil. degrees in Air Transport Management/Business from Cardiff University in the United Kingdom and a B.A. in Geography/Transportation Land Use Planning from the University of Victoria in Canada. He also earned a Certificate in Airline Finance & Accounting Management from IATA.
Earlier in his career, from 1996 to 1999, Dr. Wensveen hosted several radio programs in the United Kingdom and was recognized as Best Male Presenter at the 1997 BBC Radio One Awards.