CMAC Group is expanding its partnership management team with the addition of Latifa Kabiri, an aviation industry veteran with over 25 years’ experience in senior management, planning and Intelligence roles at aviation industry giants, British Airways and Heathrow Airport Ltd (HAL).
Latifa will work with Jason Hilton, who heads the partnership management team at CMAC Group, to deliver the company’s ambitious growth plans in the air travel industry. In addition to developing existing relationships with CMAC’s airline industry partners, particularly those based in Heathrow, Latifa is tasked with extending CMAC’s presence across all main airports in the south of England, notably Stansted, Gatwick, and the City of London.
Prior to joining CMAC, Latifa was involved in intelligence, resource and capacity planning projects at Heathrow Airport. During the Covid-19 pandemic, when lockdown rules meant air travel was both limited and subject to social distancing and other controls, Latifa was involved in emergency resource planning during the successful amalgamation of the majority of airlines’ activities into Terminal Two.
During a career that has taken her from dealing face-to-face with passengers at the check-in desk to being involved in the management of one of the most challenging situations the global airline industry has faced in decades, Latifa has developed a deep understanding of the air travel customer experience. She understands the challenges airlines face in responding to individual passenger’s needs, especially during periods of unexpected disruption.
Her experience in customer-facing roles has given Latifa the intuitive relationship-building skills that come from balancing company and operational demands with the needs of confused, tired, and occasionally angry travellers!
Latifa has a Bachelor of Arts degree and after spending several years volunteering for Mediation North Surrey, a not-for-profit mediation service, a qualified mediator.
Neil Micklethwaite, Chief Operations Officer at CMAC Group commented:
“I’m very pleased to welcome Latifa to the CMAC team, she has a unique understanding of the complex and interlinked processes, and just as important, the operational infrastructures that shape the air travel experience.”
“Latifa’s industry insight and expertise will strengthen the strategic relationships we have with our existing airline clients. In addition, her understanding of the day-to-day operations of international airlines in one of the world’s business airports, Heathrow, will be invaluable in helping CMAC expand our presence across all major airports around London and the South of England.”