About Rick Newson & Luke Farajallah

Specialist Aviation Services Chief Executive, Luke Farajallah has 30 years’ experience in the aviation sector. He has held senior executive positions in several major airlines including British Airways, easyJet, Wizzair and Flybe where he was the Group Chief Operating Officer. He was also the Managing Director of Bond Offshore Helicopters and a Board Member of Oil & Gas UK. Luke is currently Chair of the UK CAA Onshore Helicopter Safety Committee.

Rick Newson heads up the new CAA Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) but was up until March 21 the Flight Operations Manager (Helicopters) for the UK CAA and responsible for the global oversight of all UK helicopter commercial and public service air operations. Rick represented civil aviation interests on a number of cross governmental and industry committees/forums focusing on helicopter governance, operator safety and flight crew training. Rick is a highly experienced Training Inspector and Senior Examiner in both onshore and offshore sectors having flown many types, currently with a type rating on the AW189. Under the RCO remit he is now working with CAA colleagues and industry in helping operationalise new technologies such as eVTOL.