The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) have released a statement announcing the passing of Athar Husain Khan.
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 Husain Khan has been the leader of our EBAA Secretariat since July 2018 and his dedication to our industry has been key to our 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 trained lawyer with experience in various fields of law, he enjoyed a wide and varied career in both the private and public aviation sector.
Athar 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. Athar 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 Association.
Athar 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 his wife and son. Our thoughts are with his family, wishing them strength and comfort.
We have opened a memorial page to allow for members to express their thoughts and comments which can be accessed here.
With deep sadness, and on behalf of the EBAA Board and Secretariat,
Juergen Wiese
Chairman of the European Business Aviation Association