Jet2.com customer operations coordinator Abdullah Bin Sajid Butt is drawing on his experience across airport operations, customer experience and disruption management to make aviation more visible and accessible to young people. As a new Department for Transport Aviation Ambassador, he is also championing the breadth of careers available across the industry.

A global perspective from the beginning

I was born and raised in Germany before moving to the UK, and I have proudly called Yorkshire home for the last 16 years.

Having a childhood which revolved around a lot of travelling gave me a broader perspective on people, communication, and connectivity – something that naturally aligns with the global nature of aviation.

I’ve always loved the aviation industry for as long as I can remember. What fascinated me most was not just the aircraft themselves, but the airport experience as a whole.

I was always drawn to the people in uniforms and high-vis jackets, and I often found myself wondering what their roles were and how they all worked together to keep everything running smoothly.

Although I was passionate about aviation from a young age, I did not grow up surrounded by industry connections or clear pathways into the sector, but I always knew I would work in the industry.

Aviation careers were rarely discussed within schools or local communities, and like many people, I initially associated the industry with only the most visible roles such as pilots and cabin crew.

However, once I stepped into the industry myself, I quickly realised just how many career opportunities aviation truly offers beyond the traditional and well-known roles.

From sustainability and airport planning to operations, IT, safety, engineering, and data analysis, aviation is filled with diverse career paths that many young people are simply unaware of.

That realisation became one of the driving forces behind my passion for aviation awareness and outreach.

My interest eventually led me to study Air Transport Management, followed by a master’s degree in Sustainable Air Transport Operations and Planning.

Education became my gateway into understanding aviation on a much deeper level and gave me insight into the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the industry.

“Once I stepped into the industry myself, I quickly realised just how many career opportunities aviation truly offers beyond the traditional and well-known roles”

Building experience across aviation

I am still at a relatively early stage in my aviation journey, having started my first role at the age of 18 with a ground handling agent, while also pursuing my studies in parallel.

Balancing both has given me the opportunity to apply academic learning directly into real-world aviation environments, while steadily building practical experience across the industry.

So far, my journey has given me exposure to several different areas of aviation operations through roles with both airlines and ground handling companies, including Emirates, dnata, Swissport, Ryanair, and Jet2.com.

Early in my career, I worked in fast-paced airport turnaround and customer service environments where I quickly learned the importance of teamwork, adaptability, and communication under pressure.

Aviation is an industry where no two days are ever the same, and those early experiences taught me how critical collaboration is to maintaining safe and efficient operations.

At present, I work as a customer operations coordinator at Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, where I help manage airline disruptions across 14 UK airports and all overseas airports.

The role involves coordinating with different departments to minimise operational and passenger impact while ensuring customer welfare and regulatory compliance.

From issuing customer communications and implementing welfare policies to supporting operational decision-making during disruptions, the role has given me a deeper appreciation for the resilience and teamwork that exists across the industry.

Aviation often operates at its best during its most challenging moments, and it is incredibly rewarding to contribute towards maintaining both operational performance and passenger experience during those situations.

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Sustainability, education and innovation

Alongside operations, sustainability has become one of the biggest passions throughout my aviation journey.

During my master’s degree, my thesis involved an analysis of digitalisation in air transport and its impact on passenger experience. The research explored technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), biometrics, virtual reality (VR), and self-service systems, while examining how digital transformation can support both operational efficiency and environmental sustainability within aviation.

Outside of academia and industry work, I was previously involved in co-founding Viridis Biofuel Ltd, a sustainability-focused venture that collected used cooking oil from restaurants and supplied it as feedstock to biodiesel plants.

The initiative was created to address waste disposal challenges while promoting circular economy thinking and alternative fuel solutions. I am no longer involved with the business, but the experience gave me valuable insight into sustainable supply chains and practical environmental innovation.

Alongside my aviation and outreach work, I recently completed a qualification in education and training. The course strengthened my passion for communication, mentoring, and public engagement, while giving me a deeper understanding of how to effectively support and inspire different groups of learners.

The qualification complements the work I am already doing through aviation awareness initiatives, public speaking opportunities, and industry engagement.

As I continue working with schools, colleges, and aspiring aviation professionals, it has provided me with additional tools to help educate and encourage the next generation entering the industry.

For me, sustainability and education go hand in hand. Aviation’s future will not only depend on innovation and technology, but also on how effectively the industry inspires, develops, and supports future talent.

“As I continue working with schools, colleges, and aspiring aviation professionals, it has provided me with additional tools to help educate and encourage the next generation entering the industry”

Becoming an Aviation Ambassador

Being appointed as one of 10 Department for Transport’s Aviation Ambassadors by Aviation Minister Keir Mather MP has been one of the proudest moments.

I am incredibly proud to represent Yorkshire on a national platform and to help highlight the talent, ambition, and potential that exists across the region.

The role aligns closely with something I care deeply about: improving awareness of aviation careers in communities where the industry is not widely discussed or visible.

One of the key challenges within aviation is visibility. Many young people never consider careers in the sector simply because they are not exposed to the full range of opportunities available.

Without early awareness, access to industry professionals, or understanding of the different pathways into aviation, it is difficult for students to see it as a realistic option.

Since my appointment, I have been working with Members of Parliament, Mayors, educational institutions, and community leaders across Yorkshire to explore how we can work together to raise the profile of aviation careers in areas with significant untapped talent.

These conversations have focused on strengthening links between industry and education, improving early career awareness, and ensuring young people are introduced to the wide variety of roles aviation offers beyond the more well-known positions.

A key focus of this work is supporting and building on the Government’s Generation Aviation initiative, helping to bring it into areas where aviation is not traditionally spoken about and ensuring it reaches communities that may not otherwise engage with the industry.

I strongly believe that the future strength of aviation depends on widening participation and ensuring access to opportunity is not limited by geography or awareness. There is significant untapped talent across Yorkshire and the wider UK, and improving visibility is a crucial step in unlocking that potential.

For me, being an Aviation Ambassador is not just about representation; it is about creating meaningful exposure, opening doors, and helping ensure the next generation can see aviation as an achievable and accessible career path.

“I strongly believe that the future strength of aviation depends on widening participation and ensuring access to opportunity is not limited by geography or awareness”

Aviation Careers Explained Podcast

One of the projects closest to my heart is my podcast, Aviation Careers Explained. I launched the podcast in April 2026 as a contribution to my DfT Aviation Ambassador role.

Available on platforms such as Spotify with monthly episodes the aim is to help make aviation more accessible and relatable by speaking with professionals from across the industry about their real career journeys.

Too often, aviation is only associated with pilots or cabin crew, when in reality the sector consists of thousands of specialised roles spanning engineering, sustainability, operations, safety, planning, technology, data analysis, finance, and many other disciplines.

The goal of the podcast is to showcase the people behind the industry while helping listeners understand the different pathways available into aviation.

I wanted the conversations to feel genuine and informative rather than overly corporate, particularly for young people who may never have previously considered aviation as a career option.

The response has been incredibly encouraging, especially from industry officials, who are very keen to support this initiative and share their career journeys.

For me, the podcast directly supports the wider work I am doing around aviation awareness and accessibility. Representation and exposure matter. If young people can see relatable individuals succeeding within aviation, they are far more likely to believe there is a place for them within the industry too.

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Looking ahead

Aviation is entering one of the most transformative periods in its history. From sustainability and AI to digitalisation and customer experience innovation, the industry is evolving rapidly.

What excites me most is the opportunity to contribute towards that future while helping ensure it becomes more inclusive and accessible along the way.

I want young people – regardless of their background, location, or circumstances – to understand that aviation has a place for them.

Whether someone is interested in operations, engineering, sustainability, customer experience, technology, planning, or leadership, there is a pathway into this industry.

My own journey into aviation was not conventional, but it proves there is no single route into the sector.

Aviation needs diverse perspectives, fresh ideas, and individuals who are passionate about driving positive change.

For me, this is only the beginning. My ambition is to continue bridging the gap between aviation and communities that have historically been underrepresented.

READ MORE PROFILES FROM THE DFT’S AVIATION AMBASSADORS HERE AND WHAT THE ROLE MEANS TO THEM

DID YOU KNOW…

Aviation Business News is looking for the best employers in the aviation industry to champion the careers and opportunities our exciting sector offers.

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The deadline for registrations is July 17, 2026