New Delhi: Dr Shefali Juneja, 1992 batch IRS-IT cadre officer, has been named as the chairperson of the Air Transport Committee (ATC) of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a specialized agency of the United Nations, becoming the first Indian in 28 years to hold the coveted post.

Congratulating Dr Juneja, Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia tweeted: “Great News! This solidifies India’s position in the global #aviation ecosystem and strengthens our journey towards becoming the largest #civilaviation market. Congratulations, Dr Shefali Juneja & @MoCA_GoI team for your commitment & hard work.”

Previously, Dr Shefali was a Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation dealing with International Agreements (2012-2019). She was the chief bilateral air services negotiator for India for six years and she helped to transform the bilateral air service negotiations by implementing Open Skies as per the National Civil Aviation Policy 2016.

She has also served as the Board of Director in the Air India Group companies, namely, Air India Express and Alliance Air. She has worked as a Director in the Ministry prior to her elevation serving in Finance, Economic Regulation, Aviation Security and Air India divisions.

With an MBA in Aviation Management and Certificate Course from McGill University in Aviation law, Dr Juneja brings a rich practical and theoretical knowledge in aviation. Prior to joining the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Dr Shefali served on many sensitive and challenging assignments, semi-judicial positions and administrative and financial positions in the government as a civil servant.

Dr Shefali is an avid speaker and published writer on international and Indian platforms on multiple sectors including aviation, taxation and administration. She is the Chairperson of ICAO Council Small Group on Gender, Ad hoc Group on Industry Consultative Forum and Implementation Strategy and Planning Group and life member of Women in Aviation-India Chapter and the Indian Women Pilots’ Association & International Women Professionals in Aviation & Aerospace (IWPA). /BI/