Welcome Mark Reijndorp!

Can you tell us a bit about your background and experience?
I grew up in Noordwijkerhout in a ‘Blue family’—both my parents, my grandfather, and my aunt and uncle worked for KLM—so aviation has been a part of my life from an early age. Pursuing my dream of becoming a pilot, I began a bachelor’s degree in aviation operations at the University of Applied Sciences in Amsterdam. There, I discovered that aviation is much more than just pilots and cabin crew and gradually shifted my focus. In my final year, I had the opportunity to do an internship at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, which sparked my interest in governance and led me to pursue a master’s in public administration at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

During my Master’s, I worked as a lecturer in Aviation Operations at the University of Applied Sciences. After that, I moved to Berlin, where I spent the past year working for Dornier Consulting International as part of their Airports and Aviation team, focusing primarily on master planning projects.

What inspired you to join the NAG team?
As my background reflects, I have a deep interest in the intersection between the operational and technical side of aviation and the broader governance and policy ecosystem behind it. I’m also passionate about connecting people and creating opportunities for collaboration that lead to meaningful outcomes.

When I came across the vacancy for this role, I immediately felt it aligned with both my interests and values. It brings together everything I enjoy—aviation, collaboration, and strategy—and offers the chance to contribute in a positive way to the Dutch aviation ecosystem.

What excites you most about your new role?
Looking back at my first two weeks on the job I think that is exactly what excites me most. In my first week, I had the opportunity to meet many of our members at the General Assembly and hear firsthand about their challenges and visions for the future. In the second week, I joined the PIB Dutch ACES mission to Toulouse, where we had inspiring conversations with Airbus and Collins about potential areas for collaboration—an exciting step toward a high-level mission later this year.

Looking ahead I hope to get to meet many more people and organisations who represent the Dutch ecosystem and collaborate on the joint mission of transitioning aviation to a more sustainable future. And most importantly I look forward to working together with my colleagues on the joint mission of representing the Dutch aviation ecosystem.

What do you hope to contribute?
I hope to help strengthen the position of innovative Dutch SMEs within the supply chains of OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, and to increase their impact in achieving the aviation sector’s sustainability goals. I bring a broad interest in both technical and strategic aspects of the industry, and I aim to use that perspective—alongside my open and collaborative approach—to build strong connections and create opportunities for growth and innovation.

What is one fun or interesting fact about yourself?
I like to stay active by setting ambitious physical goals for myself. In 2025, I plan to run my first marathon and in 2026, I’m aiming to complete my first Ironman triathlon. I enjoy the challenge and discipline it takes and it helps keep my mind sharp too!