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Hemant Shah appointed Director at Winnipeg Aviation
Shah is a veteran in international trade and aviation with over 50 years of experience promoting ties between India and Canada.
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Prabhjot Paul Singh - Thu, 18, Dec 2025
- 15:30 EST
- 289
Winnipeg Aviation President, Capt. Dan Reeves announced Shah’s appointment . / Facebook/Winnipeg Aviation
Though Gujarati by descent, Hemant Shah has long been committed to supporting Indian youth broadly—and Punjabi youth in particular—as he begins his second innings as Director, International and Global Affairs at Winnipeg Aviation.
An international businessman who moved to Canada in the early 1970s, Shah now divides his time between Canada and India, focusing on developing student markets for Winnipeg Aviation. His return comes at a moment when India’s rapidly expanding civil aviation sector is facing an urgent need for trained pilots, cabin crew and ground staff, alongside upgrades to its existing flight training infrastructure.
India is among the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, yet its domestic network of flying clubs and training institutions has struggled to keep pace with technological advancements and rising demand. Regions such as Punjab and Haryana once had strong flying club ecosystems that produced high-quality commercial pilots, but funding constraints and shifting state priorities gradually weakened these institutions. As a result, aspiring pilots increasingly looked overseas for training, with Canada emerging as a key destination.
During Shah’s first tenure at Winnipeg Aviation from 2006 to 2015–16, he played a central role in recruiting and admitting Indian students. Hundreds of pilots currently flying in Indian skies trained at Winnipeg Aviation during that period. His deep engagement with South Asian markets earned him the informal title of “Mr. India” within the organisation.
In 2016, Shah stepped away from the role in a personal decision to retire. However, changing circumstances and renewed engagement between Canada and India prompted his return.
“During my earlier decade-long association with Winnipeg Aviation, I made several trips to India recruiting and admitting students. I visited many flying clubs, including the Patiala Flying Club,” Shah said. “Now, as bilateral relations have started looking up and a delegation of the Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce is heading to India in the New Year, I am back after Winnipeg Aviation approached me and convinced me to rejoin.”
Capt. Dan Reeves of Winnipeg Aviation welcomed Shah’s return, citing his experience and longstanding contributions. “Given Hemant’s experience, dedication, and commitment to Canada–India trade relations, we strongly feel this is the right time for him to rejoin our team and be part of the re-engagement of Canada–India trade relations,” Reeves said.
Shah has previously been instrumental in building close working relationships with provincial and federal governments in Canada, as well as with foreign governments across South Asia and the Middle East. He has also been closely involved in ensuring that international students feel welcomed and safe during their time in Canada.
Founded more than 45 years ago, Winnipeg Aviation is a leader in the flight training industry, with a strong emphasis on safety and professionalism. “We believe in demanding the most from our students because they demand the most from us,” Reeves said, adding that many of the school’s instructors are career professionals with decades of experience.
Winnipeg Aviation operates out of St. Andrews Airport, located eight minutes north of Winnipeg’s Perimeter Highway. The controlled airport is designed for flight training and features three runways, enabling efficient and comprehensive pilot instruction.
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