Aireon names Cyriel Kronenburg as Vice President, Sales & Marketing

Aireon LLC, developer of the world’s first space-based global air traffic surveillance system, has appointed Cyriel Kronenburg as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the company. Effective Monday, June 23, Kronenburg will join Aireon to lead the global sales and marketing efforts and support the adoption of space-based ADS-B surveillance services by the world’s air navigation service providers (ANSP) and airlines.

“We are very pleased to have Cyriel join the Aireon team and I am confident that his expertise will help form strong relationships with users of the AireonSM system as we prepare for its deployment,” said Don Thoma, President and CEO, Aireon. “Cyriel has demonstrated a strong understanding of the industry and provides a unique appreciation for the needs of both ANSPs and airlines alike.”

Kronenburg joins the company with extensive industry experience, most recently as the global head of air traffic control (ATC) charges for the International Air Transport Association (IATA). In this role he was responsible for leading IATA member airlines and the IATA team in global air traffic management efficiency campaigns, representing IATA members’ interests with governments, and developing IATA positions, policy and processes on air traffic management financial matters.

“Aireon is unique in that it offers not only surveillance and tracking capabilities for aircraft anywhere in the world, but it enables significant value to airlines and ANSPs through optimized flight paths, fuel savings, reduced emissions and enhanced safety,” said Kronenburg. “I am excited to work with Aireon to deliver this critical solution to the world’s busy airways, including remote areas that stand to benefit the most from utilizing this revolutionary space-based ADS-B capability to eliminate gaps in service and enhance safety.”

Previously, Kronenburg held a variety of positions at IATA, including head of government and infrastructure affairs for North America and the Caribbean, and assistant director of industry charges for North and South America. As a former executive for KLM and Royal Dutch Airlines, he has firsthand experience with the operational requirements of airlines. Kronenburg is also a former Air Traffic Controller and Flight Safety Officer, providing a depth of knowledge that is unparalleled.

Aireon is a joint venture between Iridium Communications Inc. , NAV CANADA, ENAV, IAA, and Naviair, established to launch the Aireon system by hosting ADS-B receiver payloads on Iridium NEXT, Iridium’s second-generation satellite constellation, scheduled for first launch in 2015. This new capability is a quantum leap from today’s land-based systems, extending air traffic surveillance to the entire planet and offering untold opportunity for the safety and efficiency of air travel over oceanic and remote regions.