European Business Aviation Association chairman Juergen Wiese has informed the EBAA membership of the passing of EBAA secretary-general Athar Husain Khan on Sunday 26 March 2023, at 60 years old.
“It is with shock, complete disbelief, deep sadness and heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of our Secretary-General, Athar Husain Khan. Our highly esteemed colleague and friend Athar passed away unexpectedly on Sunday 26 March 2023. Athar always put the human element first, and steered the industry in the right direction during challenging times,” said EBAA chairman Juergen Wiese.
Athar Husain Khan has been the leader of the EBAA Secretariat since July 2018 and his dedication to the Business aviation industry has been key to the Association’s current strength. Athar has been actively involved in European and international aviation for over 30 years and passionately advocated for a better, sustainable future for air transport. A lawyer by training with experience in various fields of law, he enjoyed a wide and varied career in both the private and public aviation sector.
Khan graduated from the University of Leiden with a degree in European law, Human Rights law, International law, and also specialised in Air and Space law. He subsequently worked for the Dutch Ministries of Education and Transport where he was Senior Policy Advisor and Negotiator on Aeropolitical affairs.
Khan worked for KLM as Director Government & Industry Affairs, as CEO of the Association of European Airlines (AEA), and – most recently – as head of the European Business Aviation Industry.
Khan was brought up in a bilingual family and spent his early years in the Middle-East, not surprisingly he had a lifelong interest in the interactional aspects of eastern and western culture, religion and politics.
An avid sportsman, Athar enjoyed cricket, golf, cycling, running (he has run the New York City marathon three times), and also represented his country at international level at squash. He was a keen aviator and held a private pilot’s license.
Above all, Athar was a family man and leaves behind his beloved wife and son.
