Captain George Kamal is a distinguished aviation executive with over 29 years of leadership experience across the Middle East and African markets.
He is a seasoned aviation executive who was appointed Acting Group Managing Director and CEO of Kenya Airways effective December 16, 2025, following the exit of Allan Kilavuka, who served as the CEO for six years.
Before he was appointed Acting CEO, he served as the airline’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), a position he took up in March 2023.
In his role as Acting CEO, Captain Kamal is tasked with ensuring operational stability and continuity while the board conducts a competitive recruitment process for a substantive successor. He will oversee the airline’s ongoing turnaround strategy, which focuses on operational reliability, sustainability, and the search for a strategic investor.
He was formerly the Operations Director at Air Arabia and the Chief Operations & Executive Officer at Iraqi Airways.
Captain George’s Education
He holds high-level academic qualifications in business and aviation.
Before entering aviation, Captain Kamal initially pursued a university education in dentistry at Cairo University (Al Kasr Al Ainy), later graduating with a Degree in Science.
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He eventually decided to switch careers to follow his fascination with flying and airline operations. In the late 1990s, he obtained his professional flight qualifications, including his Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL), which allowed him to begin his career as a First Officer at Egypt Air.
In the early 2000’s to 2010, during his tenure at Etihad Airways, where he served as a Captain and Instructor, George pursued advanced leadership training.
He has an MSc in Aviation Management Transformation from London Metropolitan University and a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA), qualifications he had attained before joining Kenya Airways as COO in March 2023.
His early education details, such as which primary or secondary schools he attended, are not publicly available.
George’s Career Background
George began his career as a First Officer and later a Captain at EgyptAir, gaining foundational flight experience.
He later moved to Etihad Airways and served as a Captain, Type Rating Instructor and Examiner (TRI/TRE) for major aircraft models, like the Airbus A300, A320, A330, and Boeing 777, before transitioning into management as the Manager of Crew Training, Senior Manager of Operations and Regulatory Affairs, and finally Head of Operational Safety, Quality, and Health.
In January 2019, Air Arabia appointed him as the Head of Operations, where he focused on operational efficiency for the Sharjah-based low-cost carrier.
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George also served as a Senior Consultant for the International Air Transport Association (IATA), specializing in operational safety and industry standards.
In Iraqi Airways, he served as the Chief Operations and Executive Officer, leading organizational transformations.
On March 14, 2023, George was appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Kenya Airways, overseeing flight, technical, and ground operations, a position he held until December 2025.
December 16, 2025 – Present, he was appointed Acting Group Managing Director and CEO following the exit of Allan Kilavuka, a position he will hold till the KQ Board completes a competitive recruitment process to appoint a substantive successor.
Family background
George’s family background is not publicly available, as he maintains a very private life.
George’s net worth
His financial details are not public. As a private individual and corporate executive, he is not required to disclose his personal wealth.
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