APEX (the Airline Passenger Experience Association) has announced that it has appointed Antonio Penim as its Airline Engagement Director. Antonio Penim is an expert in the In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity (IFEC) sector, with experience at companies including Etihad Airways, Hi Fly and JetPack. He has been actively involved with APEX events and committees since the early 2010s, and his industry experience will help APEX’s strategy to align airlines with advancements in passenger experience technology.
The title of Airline Engagement Director is a new role at APEX, approved by the APEX Board of Directors, with the task of maintaining the association’s close ties with decision-makers at APEX’s Top 100 airlines globally and helping drive innovation in their passenger experiences.
“Throughout my career, I have seen first-hand how strong airline relationships and strategic alliances are pivotal in advancing our industry,” said Perry Cantarutti, elected president APEX, and SVP of alliances at Delta Air Lines stated. “As we work together to innovate and improve the passenger experience, this newly created role of APEX Airline Engagement Director underscores the significance of collaboration and helps ensure that we continue to meet the evolving needs of passengers across the globe.”
Antonio Penim’s background
Across his career, Penim has engaged in a hands-on approach, with an ability to lead and manage complex projects. At Hi Fly, a wet-lease airline known for its EASA Part-145 Maintenance organisation, he served as the IFE manager. His responsibilities included managing IFE systems across a diverse fleet that such as the Airbus A310, A319, A320, A321, A330, A340, A380, and the Bombardier CL-600 private jet. His work has included over 30 airlines, governments, VIP charter flights, and private companies worldwide required delivering tailored IFE solutions that met the specific needs of each client.
Penim also served at Etihad Airways, where he led operations for IFE and IFC, overseeing the entire Etihad Airways fleet and its partners, including Alitalia, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, and Virgin Australia. His role involved managing multiple projects related to new IFE and IFC products, content, software, and services across a diverse range of aircraft, from the Airbus A380 and A350 to the Boeing B787 and B777X. Antonio’s leadership at Etihad focused on strategic oversight of IFE and IFC installations, ensuring that passengers received seamless and enhanced in-flight experiences, regardless of aircraft or route.
Antonio’s technical expertise, complemented by his understanding of business development, gained further recognition during his tenure as the director of business development at JetPack, where he oversaw IFEC systems for more than 20 airlines and private jet companies worldwide. His work at JetPack solidified his reputation as a forward-thinking leader on new technology, adept at driving business growth and fostering long-term partnerships with key industry stakeholders.
Dr Joe Leader, group CEO of APEX, said of Penim’s appointment, “His appointment as Airline Engagement Director reflects APEX’s commitment to driving innovation in airline passenger experience. Antonio’s extensive background, particularly his work with Hi Fly and Etihad Airways, perfectly aligns with our mission to connect the world’s leading airlines with the latest advancements in passenger experience technology. With Antonio on board, APEX stands ready to strengthen relationships with airlines and continue leading the industry in elevating the passenger journey.” An interesting piece of APEX trivia is that Penim emerged as one of the final 10 original candidates for its CEO position in 2015.
Antonio Penim said of his new role at APEX, “Joining APEX as Airline Engagement Director marks a significant milestone in my career. My passion has always centred around enhancing the passenger experience, and APEX provides the ideal platform to continue this work on a global scale. I look forward to collaborating closely with our airline members to explore new opportunities for innovation and to ensure that APEX remains at the forefront of industry developments. Together, we will continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in air travel, making the passenger experience more enjoyable and memorable.”
