Frederico Fernandes

Frederico Fernandes, MSc, is a Portuguese aviation and tourism entrepreneur based in Dubai. He leads innovative investments across the Middle East’s dynamic aviation and tourism sectors. As a shareholder of Intercontinental Aviation Enterprises, (IAE) Frederico is pioneering advanced aviation training as CEO of the United Arab Emirates Intercontinental Aviation Academy (IAA) and Deputy CEO for Innovation and Development of the group (IAE) . Holding a Master’s in Aviation Transport Management from City, University of London (St. George’s), Frederico has made significant contributions to aviation innovation. At the Dubai Airshow’s VISTA Startup Hub, he has mentored numerous enterprises, building collaborations with Boeing Xcelerated, Intelak, Hub71, and Plug & Play. His expertise has been instrumental in propelling startups, particularly in Advanced Air Mobility, and he is also an active investor at FLYOU. Under Frederico’s guidance, the Global Investment in Aviation Summit (GIAS) has flourished as a flagship UAE aviation government initiative, attracting over USD 300 million in aviation investments. Beyond this, he fosters global dialogue and knowledge exchange through platforms such as the Advanced Air Mobility Summit in Lisbon, the Arab Aviation Summit, and the European Aviation Leaders Summit, engaging thousands of aviation professionals worldwide. A passionate advocate for the industry, Frederico is committed to advancing sustainable and inclusive practices in aviation and tourism. His work integrates environmental responsibility with innovation, always driven by his vision of creating a better aviation for all.