NBAA Mourns the Loss of EBAA Secretary-General Athar Husain Khan

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is saddened by the loss of Athar Husain Khan, secretary-general of the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA). Husain Khan died unexpectedly on March 26. He was 60.

“Athar was a trusted partner, respected leader and true aviation professional,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “He will be deeply missed. Our hearts are with his wife Nynke La Porte, his son Yskandar Afsar Husain Khan and the entire EBAA family.”

Husain Khan was named secretary-general of EBAA in July 2018 and worked closely with NBAA on many issues and events, most notably the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE), which is co-hosted by both organizations.

Prior to joining EBAA, Husain Khan spent the previous 25 years as a leader, aero-political negotiator, lawyer, advocacy specialist and CEO in various aviation organizations and companies, in both the public and private arena. Immediately prior to joining EBAA, he was an agreements and international relations consultant for the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority in Doha.

Before that, Husain Khan led the Association of European Airlines (AEA) in Brussels as CEO, managing issues spanning environment and infrastructure to safety policy and regulation. During his tenure at AEA, he worked closely with EBAA to maximize the effect of aviation industry representation at EU institutional levels.

Prior to working at AEA, he held senior positions at KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and the Netherlands Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Education and Science.

Husain Khan, who held a private pilot’s license, received his Master of Law at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands, and followed post-graduate courses in law, communications, management, finance, natural leadership and coaching.

EBAA has opened a memorial page for those who wish to share their memories or express condolences. View the memorial page.