Emily Williams to Become Air Charter Association Chair
The IW Aviation co-founder will lead the global association starting in January 2027.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in People
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The Air Charter Association has appointed Emily Williams as its next chairperson. She will officially assume the position on January 1, 2027.
Why it matters
The transition marks a leadership change for the global aviation organization following a seven-year tenure by former chair Kevin Ducksbury. The announcement coincided with the group's annual recognition of excellence across 11 industry members.
The transition follows a seven-year leadership term held by outgoing chair Kevin Ducksbury. During the same event, 11 different companies and individuals received honors for excellence in charter operations.
The players
Emily Williams
She is a co-founder of IW Aviation and a long-standing board member of the Air Charter Association.
Kevin Ducksbury
He served as the chairperson of the Air Charter Association for seven years prior to this transition.
The Air Charter Association
This is a global industry trade body that supports and regulates the interests of air charter professionals.
The details
Williams, a co-founder of IW Aviation, has served on the association's board since 2021. The selection was revealed during the presentation of the annual Air Charter Excellence Awards, where recipients included Platoon Aviation, Titan Airways, and Saxon Air.
Timeline
Emily Williams joined the ACA board in 2021.
The appointment was disclosed in October 2026.
Emily Williams will begin her term as chairperson on January 1, 2027.
Market Landscape
This leadership transition follows the precedent set by the 2026 Air Charter Excellence Awards as a venue for institutional governance updates. It signals a shift in the association's oversight as it moves toward its 2027 agenda.
The leadership change may influence future service standards for those booking private charter flights. Industry clients can monitor upcoming policy updates as Williams takes over the chairperson role in January.
The takeaway
Effective leadership transitions in industry associations often align with annual review cycles to maintain organizational stability. Stakeholders should note that internal governance changes frequently precede updates to industry compliance standards.
Further reading
Learn more about key leadership shifts within the industry by visiting the World People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Aviation International News.
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