Aviation Technology  ·  Artificial Intelligence  ·  Operational Efficiency

Bashar Dbissi
Aviation & Technology Leader

Senior Manager of Airfield Systems at Dubai Airports, participating in the overall digital transformation of the world's busiest international hub, operating at a remarkable on-time performance and handling 1000+ daily flights.

Airport Systems Total Airport Management A-CDM AI & Computer Vision Digital Transformation Software Development Cybersecurity & PQC
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Bashar Dbissi

Bashar Dbissi  ·  Dubai, UAE

About Me

Redefining What's
Possible in Aviation

I started my career building software systems. Then aviation showed me that a slowdown doesn't just delay a server, it delays aircraft, families, and entire cities.

Today I serve as Senior Manager of Airfield Systems at Dubai Airports, where I play different roles in digital transformation agenda for one of the most complex airport operations on earth. My team has deployed computer vision AI based analytics and prediction across 200+ aircraft stands, built real-time decision intelligence in partnership with different stakeholders, to lift the on-time performance to 95+% and freeing up 45,000 operational hours annually.

Before Dubai, I spent years at Abu Dhabi Airports delivering the Midfield Terminal Project as Resident Engineer for master systems integration, and before that building IT and telecom systems at Airport International Group in Amman and serving as a software engineer at Aramex. My path from code to runways to C-suite strategy is exactly why I approach aviation differently.

I am doing executive education in Strategic Management & Leadership at Harvard Business School Online, and I hold a degree in Computer Information Systems from the Hashemite University. I'm also a co-founder of Yalla Deals, a ventures business in AI-based social media marketing I launched alongside my role at DXB.

On LinkedIn, I write candidly about what actually works in aviation ops, where AI helps, where it falls short, and why even the world's best airports still stumble when they ignore the human side of the operation.

0+ Years of Experience
0K+ Followers
0 Airports
0+ AI Implementations
Career

Professional Journey

From software engineering in Amman to digital transformation at the world's busiest international airport

Jun 2018 – Present

Senior Manager — Airfield Systems

Dubai Airports  ·  Dubai, UAE

As Senior Manager of Airfield Systems at Dubai Airports, I work on the end-to-end design, integration, and delivery of advanced airfield technologies, acting as the bridge between executive stakeholders, operational teams, and technical delivery across the airport ecosystem. My focus is on cross-domain integration that unifies airfield, terminal, and data systems into a single, connected operational environment. On the AI front, I've driven large-scale programmes including computer vision for aircraft turnaround monitoring, crowd management analytics within terminals, and voice-communication ASR systems that extract real-time safety and readiness intelligence from live radio traffic. Beyond the airside, I contribute to passenger and baggage flow modelling and behaviour analysis to optimise throughput and experience end-to-end. Across all of it, the mission is the same, replace gut-feel and reactive management with prediction, automation, and situational awareness before the delay happens, not after.

ACDM AI / Computer Vision Digital Twin LiDAR Turnaround Management Capacity Optimization
Previous Role at Dubai Airports

Senior Business Analyst — Terminal & Airside Systems

Dubai Airports  ·  Dubai, UAE

As Senior Business Analyst for Terminal and Airside Systems at Dubai Airports, I participated in the strategic transformation of airport operations through end-to-end systems integration and intelligent process automation. My work centred on breaking down operational silos, architecting and deploying integrated solutions that connected terminal and airside functions into a single, data-driven hub. Core programmes included implementing Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) to synchronise all stakeholders across turnaround and flight operations, advancing Total Airport Management (TAM) for holistic situational awareness and predictive control, and rolling out Passenger Single Token (OneID) to enable fully biometric, frictionless passenger journeys. Beyond core operations, I worked on the integration of building automation, energy management, and maintenance systems to ensure continuity, efficiency, and sustainability across the wider Dubai Airports ecosystem. The through-line across all of it is turn fragmented data and disconnected systems into decisions that actually happen faster.

Business Intelligence Systems Analysis Airside Operations Terminal Operations
Sep 2014 – Jun 2018

Resident Engineer — Airport Systems & Integration

Abu Dhabi Airports  ·  Midfield Terminal Project  ·  Abu Dhabi, UAE

At Abu Dhabi Airports, I served as lead engineer for systems delivery and integration across two progressive roles spanning the Midfield Terminal Complex (MTC), one of the most technically complex greenfield airport programmes in the world. I was responsible for the end-to-end design coordination, delivery, and validation of the full special airport systems scope: from core operational platforms including AODB, Information Broker, FIDS, CUPPS, CUSS, and Travel Document Authentication, through to the complete ELV and life-safety estate covering BMS, CMMS, VDGS, Passenger Boarding Bridges, BHS, BRS, SCADA, EPMCS, PCA, GPU, Fire Alarm, Public Address, Security Access Control, and Ramp Services Management. My role sat at the intersection of electrical, facility management, and operational technology, ensuring every system not only worked in isolation, but interoperated seamlessly as a unified, resilient airport backbone. The measure of success wasn't just commissioning; it was delivering an environment where real-time situational awareness, predictive maintenance, and frictionless passenger processing were built into the infrastructure from day one.

Systems Integration Business Intelligence Systems Analysis Airside Operations Terminal Operations Construction Management
Previous Role at Abu Dhabi Airports

Senior Engineer — Master Systems Integration

Abu Dhabi Airports  ·  Midfield Terminal Project  ·  Abu Dhabi, UAE

Responsible for the delivery and design validation of integrated airport systems. Managed the interface between disparate airport technology platforms, FIDS, BHS, SCADA, access control, and operational databases, ensuring a unified, resilient operational backbone.

Master Systems Integration Systems Analysis Airside Operations Terminal Operations
Earlier Career

Head of IT & Telecom Applications

Airport International Group  ·  Queen Alia International Airport  ·  Amman, Jordan

Led the IT and telecommunications applications division at Queen Alia International Airport during a major infrastructure modernisation programme. Managed cross-functional technology delivery across the airport ecosystem, gaining deep exposure to the full operational and commercial lifecycle of a growing international hub.

Systems Integration Business Intelligence Systems Analysis Airside Operations Terminal Operations Construction Management
Earlier Career

Service Delivery Manager

Xceed Ventures  ·  Riyadh, Saudia Arabia

Managed technology service delivery operations, building cross-functional capabilities in project execution, client management, and systems performance — skills that would later prove essential in complex airport environments.

Software Engineering Systems Development Business Intelligence
Career Foundation

Senior Software Engineer

Aramex  ·  Amman, Jordan

Built a rigorous technical foundation in software engineering at one of the Middle East's most recognised logistics and technology companies. This early experience in systems thinking, data flows, and engineering discipline underpins every operational transformation project I have led since.

Software Engineering Systems Development Vehicle & Shipments Tracking Line-haul Optimization
Executive Education

Strategic Management & Leadership

Harvard Business School Online  ·  Boston, USA  ·  2026

Executive programme focused on strategic leadership, organisational transformation, and innovation management within complex, high-stakes environments — providing the strategic and commercial lens applied to every technology initiative at Dubai Airports.


Masterclass Cultural Intelligence for Managers

Hult International Business School  ·  Dubai, UAE  ·  2025

A masterclass exploring the frameworks and practical tools behind Cultural Intelligence (CQ), the ability to lead, communicate, and make decisions effectively across cultural boundaries. Covered how cultural differences shape workplace behaviour, stakeholder dynamics, and decision-making styles, with direct application to managing diverse, multinational teams in complex operational environments.


Future Focus Masterclass for Managers

Hult International Business School  ·  Dubai, UAE  ·  2025

AA masterclass equipping managers with the mindset and tools to lead through uncertainty and accelerating change. Covered frameworks for anticipating disruption, developing strategic foresight, and building organisations that are adaptive by design, translating awareness of future trends into actionable decisions in the present. Directly applicable to technology-driven environments where the gap between today's operations and tomorrow's requirements closes faster than most organisations are prepared for.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems

Hashemite University  ·  Zarqa, Jordan  ·  2008

Bachelor's degree providing a solid foundation in computer science, information systems architecture, databases, and software engineering, the technical bedrock from which a 15+ year in technology and aviation technology career was built.

Expertise

Skills & Competencies

A rare combination of deep technical knowledge and executive operational leadership, built across 18+ years at the intersection of aviation and technology

Airport Systems

A-CDM AODB PODB FIDS BHS VDGS AGL SCADA & BMS CCTV & Video Analytics Access Control & BDRM Baggage Screening Master Systems Integration

AI & Emerging Technology

Computer Vision AI / Machine Learning Agentic AI Digital Twin LiDAR & Smart Mapping Predictive Analytics Real-Time Decision Systems Post-Quantum Cryptography Counter-Drone Systems

Operations & Strategy

Turnaround Management Capacity Optimisation OTP Improvement Ground Operations Digital Transformation Change Management Strategic Planning Stakeholder Management

Leadership

Executive Leadership Strategic Planning & Roadmapping Cross-functional Team Leadership Stakeholder Engagement Vendor & Partner Management Programme & Project Delivery Change Management Innovation Leadership Operational Transformation Technology Governance Budget & Resource Management Cultural Intelligence Thought Leadership Public Speaking & Representation
Thought Leadership

Industry Insights

Writing for 10,000+ aviation and technology professionals, covering what actually works, and what doesn't

Loading insights...
In the News

Press & Media

Featured coverage of Dubai Airports' AI transformation and operational excellence programmes

The National News
October 17, 2025

Dubai International Airport Hails AI Efficiency Boost, Squeezing In an Extra 35 Flights a Day

Coverage of DXB's AI-driven performance uplift: on-time performance to reach 95%, turnaround time to be reduced by 5 minutes per flight, and 45,000 operational hours to be recovered annually.

Read Article
Travel & Tour World
November 21, 2025

Dubai International Partners With Assaia to Harness AI for Aircraft Turnaround Management

In-depth reporting on the Dubai Airports AI turnaround management deployment. Features Bashar Dbissi on multi-touchpoint AI deployment strategy.

Read Article
UAE Innovates
February 2025

Dubai Airports Deploys AI-Powered Aircraft Turnaround System to Cut Delays and Boost Operational Efficiency

Speaking to Emirates News Agency (WAM), Bashar Dbissi described Dubai Airports' AI and computer vision turnaround monitoring system, a real-time platform that tracks and predicts key ground activities to reduce delays, optimise resources, and replace manual processes with automated data collection across airports, airlines, ground handlers, and ATC.

Read Article
What I Offer

Consultation & Services

18+ years of hands-on airport leadership, available to help your organisation navigate the future of aviation

Airport Operations Consulting

Operational assessments, process optimisation, ACDM implementation, turnaround efficiency programmes, and capacity unlocking strategies for airports and ground service providers.

Aviation AI & Technology Strategy

Advising on AI adoption, computer vision deployment, digital twin roadmaps, legacy system modernisation, and data architecture tailored to aviation's unique regulatory and operational constraints.

Speaking & Events

Keynote speeches, panel discussions, and facilitated workshops on aviation AI, digital transformation, operational excellence, and the future of intelligent airport ecosystems.

Leadership & Team Workshops

Practical sessions for senior leadership and operations teams on embracing technological change, data-driven decision making, cross-functional collaboration, and managing human factors in AI adoption.

Get In Touch

Let's Connect

Consulting, speaking engagements, collaboration, or simply a conversation about the future of aviation, please reach out

Reach Out Directly

I welcome opportunities to collaborate, consult, and share insights with organisations and professionals across the aviation and technology sectors.

Location

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

LinkedIn

4,500+ followers · Daily aviation & technology insights

Organisation

Dubai Airports
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