Will Work With Members To Maximize Safety And Customer Service

Airlines for America (A4A), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, today named Capt. Billy Nolen as Senior Vice President of Safety, Security and Operations. Nolen joins A4A from American Airlines where he was Managing Director of Corporate Safety and Regulatory Affairs.

In his new role, Nolen (pictured) will work closely with A4A members to advise, evaluate and set standards and procedures that maximize safety and customer service and improve efficiency. As the leader of the operations division, Nolen will work closely with the Administration and government agencies to ensure A4A members operate in a regulatory environment that enables the industry to build upon its impeccable safety record. He will oversee the six key functional areas within the airline portfolio at A4A, all of which are core to member airlines: Air and Ground Safety; Security; Flight Operations; Air Traffic Management; Engineering and Maintenance; and Cargo Services.

“Billy is a leader in flight operations and safety, having run such programs at the world’s largest airline, and is an excellent addition to our team,” said A4A President & CEO Nick Calio. “As an active pilot with both military and commercial airline experience, he understands well A4A’s work to constantly advocate for and build on the safety and efficiency of our national airspace.”

“As a lifelong pilot and airline industry employee, I look forward to joining A4A and working with the industry and government organizations to ensure the United States and our airlines build on our record of safety and improve our efficiency,” said Capt. Nolen.

Nolen begins on July 1, and will report to Calio.

Prior to joining A4A, Nolen has held a number of safety-related positions with American Airlines, including managing American’s Operations Aviation Safety Action Partnership program and acting as Senior Manager of Flight Safety. He has been an active pilot at American since 1989 and is currently a Captain on the B757/767. He holds an ATP on the B757, B767 and DC-9 (MD-80). He was an Aviation Safety Officer and Rotary Wing/Fixed Wing Pilot with the U.S. Army from 1980-1989. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in professional aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and has received several program certificates on aviation safety from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, U.S. Army Safety Center and University of Southern California.

(Image provided by Airlines for America)

FMI: www.airlines.org