CEO Insights Magazine

In an industry as highly regulated and rapidly evolving as civil aviation, true leadership is defined by the ability to harmonize global standards with local realities while steering teams through constant technological and operational shifts. The increasing complexity of the aviation industry requires leaders who are capable of connecting international regulations with local, practical implementation.

A prominent example of a visionary who’s changing the way the world works is Noppadol Pringvanich, Chairman and CEO of BearCat AEL, whose 24-years of career in different global aviation institutions is a purposeful heritage.

He set up his career path through international cooperation and lifelong learning. Starting in Thailand and moving through influential positions at ICAO in Beijing and IATA's world headquarters in Montreal, he acquired an unparalleled insight into the worldwide environment of the civil aviation industry.

These experiences led to the founding of BearCat, an international aviation training and consulting company that interprets worldwide aviation changes and delivers solutions that are suitable for local and regional needs.

Noppadol’s leadership principles revolve around teamwork, shared vision and stakeholder engagement, which are absolutely necessary in a sphere where safety, harmonization and efficiency are the main criteria for success.

By closely engaging with technology providers, serving in advisory capacities within ICAO, and tailoring solutions to each national and regional operational context, he continues to guide his organization toward remarkable growth.

As he looks ahead, his commitment remains anchored in steady progress while taking small, meaningful steps while keeping the broader vision intact, inspiring the next generation of aviation leaders. Let’s hear from him.

With over 24 years of industry experience, what key milestones have defined your career so far?

My professional career has been focused on civil aviation. I began in Thailand working for a national air navigation service provider, then moved to ICAO, the United Nations’ specialized agency, where I served as Chief of the Regional Sub-Office in Beijing for a few years.

After that, I joined IATA in Montreal, the global headquarters of civil aviation and I represented the airlines in ICAO and international forum for about nine years.

With all these experiences, it was the right time to begin my own venture. Thus, BearCat was born. The company has been operating for about two and a half years, focusing on training and consulting. We began with Southeast Asia, and we are now working with other countries across the Asia-Pacific as well.

What strategies have you used to improve operations and integrate modern technologies?

Civil aviation always prioritizes safety and global harmonization. However, it’s equally important to recognize local context when bringing global standards and new technologies into practice. Understanding the realistic readiness levels across different regions and determining the right solutions for each location is essential.

Building human capacity is a critical element in this process. Whether implementing new standards, regulations, or technologies, we must strengthen human capabilities. Everyone involved needs to be well trained and fully aware of both the capabilities and the limitations of various technologies.

Tell us about your leadership approach. What key principles or methods guide you?

We work as a team, and leadership means guiding that team forward in a direction you help shape and provide. In aviation, teamwork is critical to ensuring tasks are completed safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively.

Having a shared understanding and a common vision is vital. This clarity must come from strong leadership, along with a proper understanding of how to translate that direction into effective action.

How do you stay updated on industry trends to guide your organization forward?

There are three key activities involved in this work. First, we collaborate closely with technology providers. We support not only the commercialization of these technologies but also help them understand local needs in different markets so their products align with real operational contexts in each region.

Second, my team remains closely connected with ICAO, the International Civil Aviation Organization, where we serve in various advisory roles. This keeps us well informed about new global standards as they are being developed.

Lastly, when discussing technology, it’s essential to understand regional and country-level operations. Every location has its own limitations and challenges. Even when the technology is the same, its implementation is never identical.

We must adapt and prioritize solutions to local contexts and ensure that once implemented, they meet the operational needs of that specific environment.

What future destination are you heading towards?

I’m quite pleased with where we stand as a company. Last year alone, we achieved nearly 40 percent growth, which is significant given the challenges in the global market. We are happy with this progress and are continuing to expand our customer base across multiple countries.

Our training services, which form the core of our business, are performing very well. Looking ahead, we aim to deepen our involvement in product and service development. At present, we primarily operate in a consulting capacity, but our long-term goal is to evolve into a full-fledged service provider.

What advice would you give aspiring leaders?

My advice is to take small steps while keeping the big picture in mind. Understand the global and regional implications, maintain a broad vision, but start with manageable initiatives. Build momentum through smaller actions while staying aware of the larger goals.

This approach allows us to grasp global impacts while completing small tasks effectively. As these efforts mature, we begin to see concrete results more quickly. We also gain valuable experience from these smaller steps, which we can then scale and expand further.

Noppadol Pringvanich, Chairman & CEO, BearCat AEL

Noppadol Pringvanich is the CEO and Chairman of BearCat AEL which is a consulting and training company in the field of civil aviation that facilitates the adaptation of international aviation standards to the local level. Noppadol has been very successful in gaining recognition for his efforts in the different international aviation organizations like ICAO and IATA, as well as for leading airlines, air navigation service providers, airports and national aviation authorities.

Regarding Your Hobbies and Favourite Pastimes: I enjoy playing music, spending time with my kids and exploring history.

Favourite Travel Destinations: Every place has its beauty. Traveling deepens my understanding of people and cultures.

Food Preferences: A food lover. I love Thai food, but also enjoy Western, Indian, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese cuisines.