Didier Kindambu
Executive Director
Kinshasa
Summary
A strong leader and accomplished aviation executive, aviation visionary and entrepreneur with over 20 years of broad commercial and operating experience leading business units in the airline, pilot training, cargo, trucking, tour operating and ground handling industries. Demonstrated expertise in all aspects of airport operations, airline management (passenger safety, security, ground handling, air traffic controls, crew management, and audits, to list a few). A proven track record establishing full cycle aviation operations in the most challenging region of the world, Africa. Resilient, dynamic, resourceful, leading large scale transformation in aviation services amidst dilapidated airport infrastructure and sub-par airlines. Excellent negotiator and alliance builder, forging key strategic partnerships and relationships with global brands such as Air France/KLM, Qatar Airways, South African Air, and Ethiopian Airlines to foster growth in the emerging aviation sector in DRC Congo. Maintains a track record of continuous success and growth in all aviation endeavors; recently launched Papillon Air, to service the growing demand of pilots in the United States. Worked with various governments, international organizations, and investment banks such as The African Union, The IMF, the United Nations, and others to institute favorable conditions that drive economic activities at the micro and macro level. Committed to boosting overall aviation expertise and knowledge transfer in emerging markets and provide consulting services on many projects to instill hands-on know-how expertise in governmental relations, airport operations, and stakeholder engagement to move strategy to implementation across diverse sectors; opening access via aviation operations.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
15
15
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Founder-President and CEO
Papillon Air Inc.
9 2019 - Current
- Launched Papillon Air Inc.in USA .Virginia.
- With over $1.5 million personal investment to service growing demand for pilot training and chartered air services within 13 months from planning to execution.
- Acquired brand new aircraft to provide flight school training using updated avionics with affordable rates.
- Created strategic alliance and negotiated favorable leaseback agreement with local flight school to provide advanced and tailored driven pilot training in full compliance with FAA new regulatory requirements.
- Secured funding and partner to raise investment from $1.5M to 2.5M, to stimulate rapid expansion.
- With wait times for hangers at Leesburg Executive Airport in excess of 7 years; was able to secure large hanger for aircraft which minimizes depreciation.
- Working with the Town of Leesburg and Loudoun Economic Development Council to strategize new business launch and opportunities to leverage existing local government infrastructure and plans.
- Working with other aviation organizations to develop synergies that would create a win-win situation by servicing the broader need of aviation chartered services. Oversee financial operations, including analysis, budgeting, and forecasting.
- Manage payroll, tax compliance, and accounts payable functions for multiple payments.
- Support sales team with financial queries; enhance financial systems integration.
- Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting; and tax submissions.
- Perform financial management duties including generating financial data, compiling and submitting reports, analysing industry trends and assessing financial health of the company.
- Oversee operations and development of company’s finance departments including creating and reviewing policies, budgeting, recruiting, training and conducting regular assessments of financial procedures.
- preparation of quarterly and annual account reconciliations, monitor and enforce compliance with tax and financial reporting standards and assist with cash flow forecasting.
- Supervise documentation of the company’s financial status and forecasts.
Acquisition Specialist & Deal Maker
K.M.D Enterprises
05.2013 - Current
- Acquired DRC distribution rights for Hydraform International. (Bricks & Roof tiles manufacturing machines. – Kinkole/ Bon marche.
- Acquired distribution rights for Scotsman - Ice Cubes Production equipments. (DRC) – Bon marche.
- Oversaw contractor performance to encourage compliance with contractual standards.
- Ensured compliance with federal acquisition regulations, minimizing risk exposure for the organization.
- Implemented effective risk management strategies to mitigate potential challenges throughout the acquisition lifecycle.
- Established Ice production plant in DRC – Kinkole.
Executive Director
Proline Consulting and Projects
03.2013 - Current
- Launched the first airline route from Johannesburg to the Katanga Province (Lubumbashi), saving travel time via run down roads from 1-2 days to less than 2 hours flight time
- Grew passenger base from 200,000 to over 360000 with an increase in net revenues from 54 million to 83 million with the implementation of Johannesburg- Lubumbashi route
- Worked with CargoLux to establish a process to move mining equipment to Lubumbashi; resulted in over $27 million in business revenues
- Aviation services facilitations (Qatar Cargo ad-hoc services)
- Contributed to the growth of Qatar Airlines supplementary flight by completing the landing permits within 48 hours 100% of the time; which allowed Qatar to generate significant revenues and optimize aircraft utilization.
- Resulted in Proline getting awarded multi-year contract to manage all Qatar Air Cargo Ad-hoc operations in Africa, valued at over $38 million
- Management of all admin landing permits for South-Africa; resulting in streamlined operations for airline partners.
- Successfully managing 13 revenue generating aircraft with no reported incidents.
- Coordinate with mining conglomerates to execute and manage aviation operating permits in mining sites for DRC with light aircrafts.
- Achieved precision in mining prospective sites and revenue generating opportunities.
- Kibali Gold Mines reported 16% increase in growth revenues and Proline awarded aviation service management for Kibali Gold mines and partners.
- Raise the bar in mining operations by allowing access to remote regions by international and domestic mining executives and staff.
- Oversight of all directors and managers: Directing directors and managers through the development of a systematic plan for flight operations to ensure standards of quality, safety, and efficiency.
- Oversaw team management, training, motivation, and development while promoted an engaging working environment that allowed the crew to report any deviations to improve company standards.
- Ensured that the flight operations management system followed local and international regulations and standards through conducting an internal audit process.
- Communicated all system changes and handled all documentation, qualifications and other requirements for the crew.
- Instituted a method and standard to refuel aircraft in remote locations.
- This included creating contracts to handle the supply of gasoline to areas where the aircrafts needed fuel.
- Gathered support to champion intercontinental aviation and stimulate key changes in the aviation sector.
- Directly and indirectly contributed to Rwanda’s “Visa Free Africa” which increased trade with the Democratic Republic of the Congo alone by 73% since the implementation of the policy.
- Implemented aviation best practices where feasible to drive vibrant aviation growth.
- This resulted in additional interest in aviation and momentum was created where a few other countries such as Cote D’ivoire and Rwanda are making strategic imperatives centered on the aviation sector, as a mechanism to boost economic growth in core sectors.
- Developed a mini software to manage scheduling and staffing; avoiding conflicts in employee staff hours and overall better management in airline operations.
- This improved revenues by 35% and optimized staff hours for service areas.
- Negotiated contractor supply of qualified air pilots, mechanics, engineers, and other key professional staff; in excess of 1000 total to oversee all professional service operations.
- Supported MediVac with medically equipped planes and helicopters between SA and DRC; in some instances to designated European countries.
- Certain locations in the mining sector could not accommodate airline; Established Airfields in the mining sector where Aviation transport was difficult.
- Worked diligently with Ministry of Transport and leading staff to fix asphalt runway.
- With the Ministry of Energy, coordinated power supply and alternative energy to ensure successful operations.
- With the Ministry of Telecommunication, which was a major area where connectivity had to remain constant to facilitate aviation activities, performed significant support activities.
- Oversee financial operations, including analysis, budgeting, and forecasting.
- Manage tax compliance, and accounts payable functions for multiple payments.
- Support sales team with financial queries; enhance financial systems integration.
- Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting; and tax submissions.
- Perform financial management duties including generating financial data, compiling and submitting reports, analyzing industry trends and assessing the financial health of the company.
- Preparation of quarterly and annual account reconciliations, monitor and enforce compliance with tax and financial reporting standards and cash flow forecasting.
- Supervise the documentation of the company’s financial state and forecasts.
Managing Director & Chairman
Congo Express Airlines
02.2010 - Current
- Led and managed Congo DRC's most ambitious and successful new airline from start-up through commercial launch.
- Launched Francophone Africa’s 1st private regional airline within 11 months by leveraging South African platform and methodology.
- Recruited pilots and created a pilot onboarding training methodology leveraging US standard practices while tailoring to local infrastructure and operating dynamics.
- Continuously assess pilot skill set while providing updated training as needed.
- To date, CE have trained hundreds of pilots in the past nine years.
- Coordinated and planned all ground handling, weight and balance, flight paperwork (Gen Decs), flight crews, permits, fueling and customer billing for each flight.
- Lead all major revenue generating activities in Congo Express Airline's ~$17M domestic passenger business.
- Manage a staff of ~300 employees across three countries, from chief pilots to maintenance technicians.
- Developed Congo Express’s fare business vision and strategic roadmap, across-functional initiative to ensure fare attributes are optimized to meet consumers' experiential and monetary preferences.
- Resulted in increased ticket sales 200%; revenue per passenger seat grew 400%.
- Successfully implemented and managed an automated tool for the shifting and staffing of over 1000 contractors and employees.
- Managed the Passenger Service Control Center to ensure operational efficiency.
- Blueprinted airfield strategic locations.
- Established DOKO airport to service Kibali Gold mine and partner companies.
- Blueprinted mining aerial surveys.
- Designed a blue print for aviation operations within mining zones to facilitate business activities.
- Key mining company reported 300% growth in revenues by utilizing light weight aircrafts to create aerial surveys pinpointing potential mining prospects.
- Spearheaded the integration of international passenger seat charges into local operations, which led to significant profit ($700/per passenger seat from Kinshasa to Lubumbashi as opposed to $170/per passenger seat charged for same distance in other countries.
- Instituted a process to notify pilots of landing conditions which led to improved safety.
- Reported 100% effective communication modes and no incidence.
- Partnered with South African Airlines and other aviation service companies to source pilots that can be plugged into Congo Express operations; coordinated key elements of pilot training framework.
- Due to the region’s economic challenges, retention was a key issue, mitigated by forming working relationships to ensure the availability of pilots.
- Operated private/corporate flights between key cities and various gold mines across DRC.
- Lead aviation advisor for the liberalization of air transport in COMESA countries leading to improved business economic activities and intra-Africa growth.
- Commended by the Secretary General of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) for exploiting strategic alliance with Ethiopian airways to boost air traffic 200%.
- Congo Express became the only small airline to be used in the international community; used by the US Embassy staff in DRC.
- The United Nations staff also started flying with Congo Express.
- It facilitated their diplomatic and business mission.
Country Representative for South African Airways (SA) in the DRC
South African Airways (SA Express)
02.2010 - 01.2013
- Liaised with governmental and Regulatory Authorities in the DRC regarding matters of interest to SA Express.
- Ensured brand visibility in the DRC.
- Communicated with SA Express Senior officials on recent developments pertaining to aviation matters in the DRC
- Mitigated all governmental risks to facilitate operations of SA Express into DRC
- Managed foreign key crew member training and on boarding process.
- Implemented comprehensive monitoring and evaluation systems to measure program impact and identify areas for improvement.
- Ensured compliance with local laws and regulations pertaining to operations within the country context.
- Led a diverse team of professionals in executing projects aimed at addressing key priorities.
Managing Director (Owner)
DISATT – CONGO
01.2010 - 12.2010
- Establishment of the Company
- Securing a Tele-distribution License and UHF TV license
- Vodacom Congo Dealership
- Dimension Data RSA dealership
- Provision of support services to National satellite coverage (Radio, TV, Internet and Public Telephony).
- Delivered consistent revenue growth by identifying new business opportunities and expanding service offerings.
Chief Executive Officer
BIZ - AFRIKA PTY Ltd (RSA - DRC)
03.2004 - 01.2010
- Facilitation of business contacts between the DRC potential business partners and those of the RSA
- Project Management on parties’ joint business ventures
- Facilitation of Bilateral discussions on matters pertaining transportation between the two countries
- (All the above mentioned is done for both Private and Governmental relations)
- Established key strategic partnerships with industry leaders to enhance business development opportunities.
- Cultivated forward-thinking, inclusive, and performance-oriented business culture to lead industry in innovation and push progress.
- Negotiated favorable contracts with suppliers and vendors, ensuring cost-effective procurement processes.
Consultant for Central and French Africa
DVI TELECOM AFRICA (RSA)
01.2003 - 03.2004
- Management of new contracts
- Facilitation of Project launches
- Set up of new company structures within the country.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to successfully deliver comprehensive solutions for clients.
- Provided ongoing support to clients post-implementation, ensuring long-term success of implemented solutions.
- Developed innovative strategies for clients, resulting in increased revenue and business growth.
- Enhanced communication among team members, fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment.
- Delivered high-quality presentations to stakeholders, effectively communicating project objectives and results.
Education
Bachelors Degree in Economics - Economics
University of Kinshasa (UNIKIN)
DRC 08.2017 - 08.2020
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration And Management
Milpark Business School (BSC)
Johannesburg, South Africa 02.1994 - 11.1997
Hihger Certificate - Information Technology
Damelin College
Johannesburg, South Africa 02.1994 - 11.1995
Some College (No Degree) -
Magri’s Language Institute (Braamfontein, JHB)
Johannesburg 02.1994 - 11.1994
National Diploma in Accountancy - Accountancy
University of Kinshasa
DRC 02.1989 - 11.1992
Diploma On Business Management - Business Administration
Damelin College
Johannesburg 02.1995 - 11.1996
Skills
Airport Operations
Pilot Training
Crew Management
Aviation Operations
Air Traffic Control
Mining Aerial Surveys
Project Management
Team Building
Strategic Budget Management
Acquisition Management
Risk Management
Negotiations
Passenger and Cargo Operations
Landing Permits and Certifications
Aviation Auditing
IATA
Recruitment and Training
Strategic planning
Process Improvement
Infrastructure
Technical Support
Business Development
New Venture
Commercial Pilot Training
Airfield Architecture
Government Relations
FAA Regulations
Knowledge of the French African Environment
Skilled negotiator and agile entrepreneur
Effective leader and Change Agent
Ability to coordinate business interests of parties interested in the Reconstruction and Development of the Aviation/Road transportation/Rail sector within the Central and French African markets
Strong Strategic/ Business network within the Republic of South Africa
Key working relationships with major airlines executives and airline manufacturing companies
Languages
English
Advanced (C1)
French
Advanced (C1)
Additional Information
Other Professional Training and Expertise
Airport Operations
Pilot Training
Crew Management
Aviation Operations
Air Traffic Control
Mining Aerial Surveys
Project Management
Acquisition Management
Risk Management
Negotiations
Passenger and Cargo Operations
Landing Permits and Certifications
Aviation Auditing
IATA–Recruitment and Training–
Process improvement–Infrastructure
Technical Support
Business Development-New Venture Creation
Commercial Pilot Training- Airfield Architecture-Government Relations- FAA Regulations
Timeline
Bachelors Degree in Economics - Economics
University of Kinshasa (UNIKIN)
08.2017 - 08.2020
Acquisition Specialist & Deal Maker
K.M.D Enterprises
05.2013 - Current
Executive Director
Proline Consulting and Projects
03.2013 - Current
Country Representative for South African Airways (SA) in the DRC
South African Airways (SA Express)
02.2010 - 01.2013
Managing Director & Chairman
Congo Express Airlines
02.2010 - Current
Managing Director (Owner)
DISATT – CONGO
01.2010 - 12.2010
Chief Executive Officer
BIZ - AFRIKA PTY Ltd (RSA - DRC)
03.2004 - 01.2010
Consultant for Central and French Africa
DVI TELECOM AFRICA (RSA)
01.2003 - 03.2004
Diploma On Business Management - Business Administration
Damelin College
02.1995 - 11.1996
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration And Management
Milpark Business School (BSC)
02.1994 - 11.1997
Hihger Certificate - Information Technology
Damelin College
02.1994 - 11.1995
Some College (No Degree) -
Magri’s Language Institute (Braamfontein, JHB)
02.1994 - 11.1994
National Diploma in Accountancy - Accountancy
University of Kinshasa
02.1989 - 11.1992
Founder-President and CEO
Papillon Air Inc.
9 2019 - Current