Chris Kempis

Chris Kempis has extensive experience in the aviation industry. Chris started their career as an Air Force Pilot in the South African Air Force, where they served as a Fighter Pilot and later as a Flight Commander and Tactical and Reconnaissance Instructor. After leaving the Air Force, Kempis worked as a Corporate Pilot for Falconair Ltd, where they operated DA Falcon aircraft and also performed scheduling and operational tasks. Chris then joined South African Airways as an Airline Pilot before moving to Cathay Pacific Airways. At Cathay Pacific, they held various positions including Deputy Flying Training Manager, Deputy Chief Pilot, Flying Training Manager, Chief Pilot (Airbus), General Manager Flying, and most recently Director of Flight Operations. In their role as Chief Pilot, they were responsible for the flight operations of Cathay Pacific's Airbus fleet, which consisted of 46 aircraft and 900 pilots. Overall, Kempis has over 25 years of experience in the aviation industry and has held significant leadership and management roles throughout their career.

Chris Kempis has a diverse education history. In 1970-1979, they completed their Matric at St John's College in Johannesburg, South Africa. Later, in 1980-1982, they attended the South African Air Force Pilot Training and earned a Pilot degree through the Air Force Wings Course and Operational Training Course. In 2000, they obtained a Diploma in Aircraft Accident Investigation from the Swedish Institute of Technology. Furthermore, Chris Kempis pursued higher education, earning an MSc in Air Transport Management from City, University of London from 2014-2019. Chris also completed the Swire Advanced Management Programme at INSEAD in 2015. In terms of certifications, Chris Kempis holds various qualifications, including being a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society (FRAeS) from the Royal Aeronautical Society, an IRE/TRE (Airbus) from the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department, and an Airline Transport Pilot's Licence from both the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department and the South African Civil Aviation Authority.