Aviation Aftermarket Executive

Sigurdur Arnar Jonsson

Aviation asset management, aircraft teardowns, and supply chain leadership across nearly 26 years of international experience.

Sigurdur Arnar Jonsson
26 yrsInternational aviation experience
$60MAviation assets under oversight
5Aircraft teardown programmes led
~100Repair vendors, MROs & OEM partners
About

A career built across the full aviation operating ecosystem

Sigurdur Arnar Jonsson

An aviation aftermarket executive with over 25 years of international experience spanning airline operations, aviation asset management, aircraft teardowns, supply chain leadership, component repair management, and strategic growth initiatives.

As Chief Operating Officer of AJW Middle East, he leads operational performance, asset optimization, and business expansion across a multi-million-dollar aviation portfolio. Throughout his career he has built and transformed organizations — from establishing airline materials and logistics departments and teardown operations, to developing the global supplier networks that drive operational resilience and commercial success.

Leadership philosophy: a leader is only as strong as the team around them. He maintains an open-door policy and actively shares his knowledge to help individuals and teams grow, succeed, and achieve their goals — prioritizing accountability, transparency, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

His objective is not only to deliver operational excellence, but to build resilient organizations capable of sustaining growth and adapting to an evolving market. Whether establishing a materials function for a start-up airline, leading aircraft teardown programmes, or managing multi-million-dollar aviation assets, his approach stays consistent: simplify complexity, empower teams, and make decisions driven by measurable outcomes.

Experience

Roles and measurable impact

Chief Operating Officer
AJW Middle East

Leads aircraft asset management, aftermarket operations, and business growth — including technical and document review ahead of aircraft acquisition. Oversees aviation assets valued at approximately USD 60 million, led ASA-100 and ISO 9001 implementation, negotiated a storage facility within the DWC Freezone, and brought one of three acquired A320ceo airframes back to market with a signed LOI — with the potential to recover 50% of the purchase price on a USD 9M investment.

Director, Teardown & Spare Parts Trading
AJW Middle East

Built a teardown and trading capability from the ground up: developed a supplier and repair-partner ecosystem, managed three Airbus A320neo teardown programmes (USD 1.6M in programme expenditure, excluding aircraft acquisition), processed ~1,200 recovered components through 66 facilities, and established a network of 100 repair vendors and two logistics providers worldwide.

Materials & Logistics Lead
PLAY Airlines

Built the Materials & Logistics function from start-up to support the airline's launch and fleet growth. Directed sourcing for the next-generation Component PBH Agreement (six bidders to one preferred partner via structured RFP), oversaw the Wheels & Brakes PBC Agreement and a guaranteed-access agreement with Safran Nacelles for LEAP-1A engines, and negotiated a fleet-wide exchange and overhaul agreement for emergency slides, life rafts, and reservoir bottles across the 10-aircraft A320/A321neo fleet. Managed ~USD 10M in inventory, built a three-person Material Controller team in Vilnius, and designed the airline's global logistics support network.

Resume

Career history

Chief Operating Officer

2026 – Present
AJW Middle East · United Arab Emirates
  • Leads operational strategy and performance across aircraft asset management, repair, and aftermarket services
  • Manages a USD 60M asset portfolio and supports aircraft acquisition due diligence
  • Leads ASA-100 and ISO 9001 governance and implementation
  • Represents AJW Middle East at international aviation conferences, building relationships with airlines, lessors, MROs, OEMs, and trading partners
  • Reports to executive leadership on operational performance, asset utilization, and strategic growth initiatives

Director, Teardown & Spare Parts Trading

2025 – 2026
AJW Middle East · United Arab Emirates
  • Established the teardown and trading capability during the start-up phase
  • Managed three Airbus A320neo teardown programmes (~USD 1.6M)
  • Built a network of ~100 repair vendors and directed recovery of ~1,200 components through 66 facilities (~USD 5M in repair value)
  • Developed asset recovery and disposition strategies maximizing component value and revenue generation

Manager, Materials & Logistics

2019 – 2025
PLAY Airlines · Iceland
  • Built the department from start-up, supporting airline launch and fleet growth
  • Managed inventory assets valued at ~USD 10M, including a USD 3.5M Main Base Kit
  • Established a global network of OEMs, suppliers, repair providers, and logistics partners
  • Supported A320neo/A321neo entry into service and negotiated global supplier agreements

Manager, Technical Stores

2017 – 2019
WOW air · Iceland
  • Led all technical stores and warehouse operations supporting a rapidly expanding airline
  • Managed warehouse relocation and facility redesign to improve operational flow
  • Maintained ICETRA and EASA compliance; served as Key User during migration from Gannet to AMOS
  • Managed training, budgets, workload prioritization, and team performance

Earlier Career

2001 – 2017
Air Atlanta Icelandic, SmartLynx, Sinaer Plus & Storm Aviation · Worldwide
  • Progressed through materials, procurement, logistics, and technical operations roles
  • Represented Air Atlanta Icelandic during international heavy maintenance checks, managing critical-path material support
  • Built an international network of suppliers, MROs, and leasing companies that continues to support aftermarket and asset management activities today
Download Full CV (PDF)
Key Expertise

Where he adds value at the executive level

Aviation Supply Chain & Operations Leadership

Strategic leadership across the full aviation supply-chain ecosystem — aligning materials, procurement, logistics, MRO, and inventory with broader business objectives to build efficient, resilient, scalable operating models.

Aircraft Materials, Components & MRO Management

Deep expertise in aircraft materials, components, spare parts, and MRO supply requirements, ensuring readiness supports maintenance schedules, turnaround, and reliable return-to-service performance.

Strategic Procurement & Supplier Management

Sourcing and supplier-management initiatives that improve cost, quality, delivery, and reliability — with strong, long-term relationships across aviation suppliers, MRO providers, and manufacturers.

Inventory Optimization & Supply Chain Resilience

Balancing operational availability against working-capital discipline, and building resilience against supplier disruption, component shortages, geopolitical risk, and AOG situations.

Risk Management, Crisis Response & AOG Operations

Rapid decision-making under pressure — critical-part availability, alternative sourcing, supplier escalation, and logistics coordination to minimize operational downtime.

Digital Transformation & Operational Excellence

Applying data, predictive analytics, automation, and digital supply-chain visibility to reduce cost and cycle time and strengthen decision-making.

Leadership

How he leads organisations and people

Executive Decision-Making

Disciplined, data-driven judgment across risk, cost, service, asset availability, and business continuity.

Organizational Transformation

Transformation initiatives that strengthen operating models, modernize processes, and sustain productivity gains.

High-Performance Team Leadership

Accountable, collaborative teams built through clear expectations and leadership development.

Change & Crisis Leadership

Decisive leadership through disruption and organizational change, keeping teams focused on execution.

Cross-Functional Leadership

Bringing engineering, MRO, procurement, finance, logistics, and commercial teams into enterprise-wide alignment.

Executive Stakeholder Leadership

Building relationships across CEOs, executive teams, suppliers, and strategic partners to enable faster, better-aligned decisions.

Leadership Commitment

What he's building toward

Committed to building high-performing aviation supply-chain and operations organisations that deliver measurable business value, operational resilience, and sustainable growth — leading with accountability, integrity, and strategic discipline.

Committed to developing people as strongly as processes: capable leaders, empowered teams, clear accountability, and a culture that understands the strategic importance of every contribution.

Above all, committed to leaving every organisation stronger, more resilient, more capable, and better positioned to create long-term enterprise value.

Thought Leadership

Speaking engagements & focus areas

MRO Middle East 2026 — Panel Speaker

TALA 2024 — Guest Speaker

Regularly speaks on aviation aftermarket strategy, asset management, supply chain resilience, parts localization, MRO capacity development, and airline logistics strategy.

Get in touch

Open to executive opportunities in aviation supply chain & operations

For opportunities or consulting engagements, reach out directly, or download the full CV below.