Aviation
10 airline ground operations experts
These ten airline professionals have led airport ground operations, with titles that include director of station operations and head of ground operations, in current or former roles. A reader can learn how ground operations leaders build and run their teams at airlines.
Professionals to explore
01—10Ben Humphrey
LinkedInExperience: Vice President of Ground Operation · Sun Country Airlines
Vice President of Operations - ORD at American Airlines since 2023. Former Vice President of Ground Operation at Sun Country Airlines (2022–2023) and Managing Director of MBR and Ramp Technology at American Airlines (2022). The profile also lists a role as Adjunct Professor Aviation Management at Minnesota State University, Mankato (2021–2022).
Carter Ganss
LinkedInExperience: Senior Station Director - Ground Operations · Southwest Airlines
Managing Director - Ground Support Equipment at Southwest Airlines since 2024. Former Managing Director Ground Operations Services (2021–2024), a role the profile describes as leadership and support for three primary system support functions, and Senior Station Director - Ground Operations (2018–2020) at Southwest Airlines.
Diederik Lebbink
LinkedInExperience: Head of Ground Operations & Airport Services Brussels Airside at Brussels Airlines · Brussels Airlines
Head of Ground Operations & Airport Services Brussels Airside at Brussels Airlines since 2020, alongside a role as Lufthansa Group Station Manager - HUB Brussels at Lufthansa Group since 2022. Former Lean & Restructuring Manager at Brussels Airlines (2019–2020). The profile also lists roles as AOC Vice Chairman and BRUC Chairman at Brussels Airport committees.
Floyd Trapp
LinkedInExperience: Director, Airport Operations · Delta Air Lines
Director, Airport Operations at Delta Air Lines since 2024, where the profile says Floyd Trapp leads Ramp Operations, the Airport Coordination Center and Customer Experience in Los Angeles (LAX), overseeing more than 1,200 frontline employees and 52 leaders. Former Field Director - Canada (2022–2024) and Manager, Regional Field Stations (2021–2022) at Delta Air Lines.
John Angel
LinkedInExperience: Managing Director - Airport Operations - East · Delta Air Lines
Managing Director - Airport Operations - East at Delta Air Lines since 2025, where the profile says John Angel leads a team of over 1800 professionals with responsibility for ground operations in 27 stations. Former Managing Director Airport Operations- Boston & The Northeast (2023–2025), Director - Operations - LGA (2017–2023) and General Manager - Below Wing Operations (2014–2016) at Delta Air Lines.
John Krempa
LinkedInExperience: Manager, Ground Operations - DXB · Emirates
Head of Airport Services - Europe, Africa & Asia at Norse Atlantic Airways since 2023, where the profile describes overseeing new station openings, facility requirements, GSP readiness, safety, security and compliance. Former Head of Compliance Monitoring - Ground Operations (2015–2023) and Manager, Ground Operations - DXB (2013–2015) at Emirates.
Pankaj Handa
LinkedInExperience: Senior Vice President - Ground Operations (Airports & Security) · Vistara - TATA SIA Airlines Ltd.
Vice President Global Head of Airports and Ground Operations at Riyadh Air since 2024. Former Senior Vice President - Ground Operations (Airports & Security) (2023–2024), VP & Head - Ground Services (2019–2023) and AVP - Ground Services (2017–2019) at Vistara - TATA SIA Airlines Ltd., and Director - Ground Operations at Kuwait national airways (2016–2017).
Roberto Morales, MBA
LinkedInExperience: Director Airport Operations- Ramp Services · United Airlines
Director Airport Operations- Ramp Services at United Airlines since 2023. Former General Manager Aiport Customer Service (2019–2023), Station Manager (2017–2019), Department Manager (2013–2017) and General Manager Airport Operations and Cargo (2009–2013) at Delta Air Lines.
Sultan Alqashami
LinkedInExperience: Senior Director, Ground Operations KSA RUH, North & East · SAUDI AIRLINES
Senior Director, Ground Operations KSA RUH, North & East at SAUDI AIRLINES since 2026. Former General Manager Riyadh Station Support (2025–2026), Operations Manager (2023–2026) and Station Executive Supervisor - Ground Operation (2017–2022) at SAUDI AIRLINES. The profile describes a focus on ground operations and airport services.
Thomas Carranza
LinkedInExperience: Director, Station Operations · Alaska Airlines
Director, Station Operations at Alaska Airlines since 2025, a role the profile describes as directing station operations at Portland International Airport with responsibility for 400+ employees across guest services and ground operations. Former Director, Seattle Station Administration (2023–2025), Manager, Guest Services (2020–2023) and Station Supervisor (2018–2020) at Alaska Airlines.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's scope to your question, since running one large hub differs from overseeing a region of smaller stations or a network of outsourced ground handlers. Also consider the type of airline, because a legacy carrier, a low-cost carrier and a new airline that is still opening stations each set up ground operations differently.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you staff and schedule ramp teams so aircraft turns stay on time during peaks?
- 02When do you handle ground operations in-house, and when do you use a ground handling provider?
- 03Which operational measures do you review daily to spot problems at a station early?
Reaching airline ground operations experts
How can I contact one of these airline ground operations experts?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 9 companies, including Sun Country Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Brussels Airlines, based on profile data retrieved on October 4, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach airline ground operations experts?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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