Capt. Robert Campbell Smith, MBA, BA, MRAeS, is an aviation executive, airline Accountable Manager and experienced captain with more than 25 years’ leadership across commercial aviation operations, safety and regulatory compliance. He currently serves as Accountable Manager of MEL Air, with responsibility for Air Operations and the Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO), leading safety, compliance, operational resilience and organisational performance.
Robert has held senior roles including Managing Director and Accountable Manager of Hibernian Airlines and General Manager Flight Operations at CityJet, where he led multinational teams, complex operational transformations and crisis management activity. His experience spans airline operations, safety management systems, risk management, regulatory oversight and data driven decision making.
A strong advocate for continuous safety improvement, Robert has extensive experience navigating emerging operational risks, including security threats, regulatory change, operational disruption and crisis response. He serves as a Senior Advisor to the European Regions Airline Association, contributing to industry discussions on aviation policy, safety and resilience. Combining frontline piloting experience with executive leadership and an Executive MBA from Henley Business School, Robert brings a practical strategic perspective on how regional aviation can safely adapt to a complex operating environment.