30 May 2025 — Auckland, New Zealand
Blackhawk.io Appoints David Kennedy as EVP & Global Head of Aviation
Blackhawk.io, the global provider of white-label PaaS for asset-intensive industries, is pleased to announce the appointment of David Kennedy as EVP & Global Head of Aviation. Based in the United States, David will lead Blackhawk.io’s aviation vertical worldwide, with a focus on expanding partnerships, deepening customer success, and accelerating growth across ground handling, airline, airport, GSE OEM and IT eco-system partners.
David brings over 25 years of executive experience in the aviation ground handling and GSE (Ground Support Equipment) industry. He is the founder and former CEO of Quantum Aviation, a leading provider of baggage and logistics automation systems for international air carriers and airports. Over the past two decades, David has built a distinguished career developing and deploying digital solutions across North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific.
At Blackhawk, David will oversee the global execution of our aviation go-to-market strategy to deliver end-to-end digitization of GSE fleet and ground operations. His remit includes:
- Scaling adoption of Blackhawk’s white-label real-time-performance PaaS for aviation ground assets
- Leading strategic engagements with Tier 1 carriers and IT eco-system partners
- Driving deployment of Blackhawk’s global benchmarking BI and Agentic AI tools for GSE performance
- Expanding our commercial teams across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific
“David is a proven aviation technology leader with deep domain expertise and global relationships,” said Gottfried Pausch, Managing Director Blackhawk.io. “His leadership will be critical as we continue to scale our aviation business and help the world’s leading ground handlers, airlines, airports and GSE OEM’s unlock data-driven performance.”
“I’m excited to join Blackhawk.io at a pivotal time in its global growth journey,” said David Kennedy, Global Head of Aviation. “Having spent my career at the intersection of aviation operations and digital transformation, I see Blackhawk’s PaaS as uniquely positioned to modernize GSE and airport services operations. The ability to unlock real-time visibility, automate workflows, reduce emissions and increase revenue from new Agentic AI services — all in a white-label platform — is exactly what our industry needs right now.”
Blackhawk’s aviation offering is already trusted by flagship operators including Qantas and Air New Zealand and with multiple deployments underway in North America. Our PaaS enables operators to digitize ground service workflows, improve uptime of GSE fleets, reduce carbon emissions, and unlock real-time analytics through smart digital forms and AI-powered insights.
With this appointment, Blackhawk deepens its commitment to the aviation sector as a core pillar of its global strategy — driving real-time transformation across connected infrastructure, mobility, and asset-intensive industries.
For more information about Blackhawk’s aviation solutions, visit:
👉 https://blackhawk.io/industries/iot-solutions-aviation-gse/
Gottfried Pausch, Managing Director of Blackhawk.io: “David is a proven aviation technology leader with deep domain expertise and global relationships. His leadership will be critical as we continue to scale our aviation business and help the world’s leading ground handlers, airlines, airports and GSE OEM’s unlock data-driven performance.”
David Kennedy, EVP & Global Head of Aviation: “I’m excited to join Blackhawk.io at a pivotal time in its global growth journey. Having spent my career at the intersection of aviation operations and digital transformation, I see Blackhawk’s PaaS as uniquely positioned to modernize GSE and airport services operations. The ability to unlock real-time visibility, automate workflows, reduce emissions and increase revenue from new Agentic AI services — all in a white-label platform — is exactly what our industry needs right now.”
About David:
David is an accomplished aviation industry leader with a deep operational background and a passion for innovation in airline and airport services. With decades of hands-on experience, he has held key roles across major airlines, airport IT firms, and ground handling operations, developing a comprehensive understanding of the integration required for seamless airport operations and performance. David’s career spans operations, technology, sales and commercial strategy, and he has served in roles from part-time ramp worker to CEO. He has served on committees with IATA, ACI, and TAG, contributing to industry standards and collaboration. His leadership style is people-centered, relationship-driven and future-focused; he prioritizes team-building and client relationships as well as a strategic approach to growth and customer satisfaction.
An entrepreneur at heart, David founded two aviation-related businesses. In 1993, he launched a ground handling company at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, growing it from one customer to being the largest handler in the market before a successful exit in 1997. In 2005, he founded a global provider of baggage reconciliation and tracking systems, which operated worldwide until its acquisition in 2024.
David holds a bachelor’s degree from Emory University and a master’s degree from the University of Georgia. Based in Athens, Georgia, he is married with three grown children. Outside of aviation, he enjoys music, reading, travel, and trail running.
About Blackhawk.io
Blackhawk.io is a leading provider of IoT and real-time digital transformation solutions for remote and mobile assets. Specializing in connected equipment, vehicle telematics, and predictive maintenance technologies, Blackhawk.io empowers organizations in aviation, real estate, OEM supply, and more to optimize asset utilization, streamline operations, and reduce costs through data-driven insights.
