What Simpliflying does

SimpliFlying is a Singapore-headquartered aviation strategy consultancy founded in 2008 by Shashank Nigam. The firm advises airlines, airports, and aviation technology companies across six continents on sustainability transitions, brand and customer-experience strategy, crisis communications, and AI adoption. It is not a software or SaaS business; its core technology is its proprietary research methodology, original content, and the relationships of its leadership team.

The firm monetises through four primary streams: strategic advisory and consulting engagements, sale of original research reports (annual Sustainable Aviation Outlook, SAF strategy playbooks) and books (SOAR, Cutting Through, and the two-volume Sustainability in the Air series, collectively 50,000+ copies), executive education programmes (including SimpliFlying Immersions site visits), and CEO keynote speaking engagements. Distribution is direct to enterprise C-suites, supported by the Sustainability in the Air podcast, a 5,000+ subscriber Substack newsletter, the Soar.AI Weekly Brief, and The Dispatch marketing blog. Headcount is in the 11–50 range, and the firm operates globally with a lean team. Academic integrations at MIT, Cranfield University, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University extend its reach into industry training pipelines.

The company's competitive position rests on founder-led thought leadership rather than scale or technology moats. Curricula partnerships, named engagements with Airbus, Boeing, American Airlines, Ryanair, easyJet, DHL, Kenya Airways, and Abra Group (Avianca/GOL), and recurring media citations in BBC, NYT, WSJ, CNBC, Reuters, and Bloomberg indicate a durable brand position in a narrow vertical. No external funding, M&A, or institutional investors are disclosed in the available data.

Name

Simpliflying

Legal name

SimpliFlying

Website

https://simpliflying.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SimpliFlying is a Singapore-based aviation strategy consultancy founded in 2008 that advises 120+ airlines, airports, and aviation technology companies across six continents on sustainability, brand strategy, customer experience, crisis communications, and AI adoption.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Singapore

HQ country

Singapore

HQ region

Asia

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Strategic Advisory & Consulting: Core consulting engagements helping airlines, airports and technology companies with sustainability initiatives, marketing strategy, brand development, customer experience improvement, and crisis communications. These are likely project-based or retainer engagements.
2. Research Reports & Publications: Sale of annual research reports (Sustainable Aviation Outlook series, Pathways to SAF strategy playbook) and books (SOAR, Cutting Through, Sustainability in the Air Volume One and Two) to aviation industry professionals, executives, and academic institutions.
3. Executive Programmes: Executive education and training programmes for aviation industry leaders on topics including sustainability transition, brand strategy, and AI adoption.
4. Speaking Engagements: Keynote speaking engagements by CEO Shashank Nigam at aviation industry conferences and events worldwide.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

SimpliFlying is a Singapore-based aviation strategy consulting firm that advises airlines, airports, and aviation technology companies on marketing, branding, customer experience, sustainability, and AI strategy. Beyond advisory projects, it offers structured learning programs (SimpliFlying Immersions), an AI-focused offering (Soar.AI), the Sustainable Aviation Outlook research series, and authored business books for the aviation sector.

Product overview

SimpliFlying is an aviation strategy firm offering consulting services rather than a unified SaaS product. The firm provides strategic advisory across sustainability, marketing, and AI through multiple channels: direct consulting engagements, the Sustainability in the Air podcast, annual Sustainable Aviation Outlook reports, published books (SOAR, Cutting Through, Sustainability in the Air Volumes 1 & 2), the Soar.AI intelligence offering, SimpliFlying Immersions site-visit programs, and The Dispatch marketing blog. These products and services work together to serve aviation industry clients seeking strategy, research, and thought leadership.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sustainability in the Air: The world's first podcast dedicated to sustainable aviation, hosted by SimpliFlying CEO Shashank Nigam since 2022. Features in-depth conversations with aviation leaders on net-zero transition, SAF, and climate strategy.
• Soar.AI
• The Dispatch

Products and services

• Aviation Strategy Consulting Bespoke consulting engagements for airlines, airports, and aviation technology companies covering marketing, branding, customer experience, sustainability, and AI strategy.
• SimpliFlying Immersions Structured on-site learning and study visit program offered to aviation leaders and organizations to deepen understanding of aviation best practices.
• Soar.AI AI-focused offering from SimpliFlying that supports airlines, airports, and aviation technology companies in adopting and operationalizing artificial intelligence.
• Sustainable Aviation Outlook Original research report series published by SimpliFlying covering sustainability trends, benchmarks, and outlook for the aviation industry.
• SimpliFlying Books (Soar, Aerocool) Published business books on aviation strategy, branding, and transformation authored by SimpliFlying's founder and sold through retail and online bookstores.

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

32 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Cranfield UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership where SimpliFlying's book SOAR is part of the curriculum at the Centre for Air Transport Management. Collaborative relationship for aviation education and research dissemination.
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership where SimpliFlying's book SOAR is part of the university curriculum for aviation management education.
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership where SimpliFlying's book 'Sustainability in the Air: Volume One' is taught as part of the curriculum.
• Engine AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSimpliFlying partnered with the A380 engine manufacturer to re-invent B2B marketing in aviation, changing the paradigm for how aviation technology is marketed to airlines.
• American AirlinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSimpliFlying worked with American Airlines on the marketing launch of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, building the narrative around the plane that changed long-haul travel.
• Cebu Pacific AircoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSimpliFlying worked with the Philippines' largest airline to dramatically upgrade their social customer service and make it relevant in the age of the connected traveller.
• VolariscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAs Mexico's Volaris transformed its ultra-low-cost business model, SimpliFlying took its marketing strategy to the next level.
• RyanaircoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing advisory relationship covering Ryanair's SAF procurement strategy, sustainability transition, and decarbonization approach. SimpliFlying's podcast featured Ryanair's Director of Sustainability discussing their 12.5% SAF target for 2030.
• easyJetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvisory relationship for easyJet's net zero roadmap development and sustainability execution strategy. Podcast featured easyJet's Director of Sustainability discussing the airline's sustainability journey.
• Abra Group (Avianca & GOL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvisory engagement with Abra Group's Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer on Latin America's unique sustainability challenges, SAF procurement, and net zero strategy for the Latin American market.
• DHL ExpresscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing advisory relationship covering DHL's SAF strategy and sustainable aviation approach. SimpliFlying's podcast featured DHL's Executive Vice President of Global Aviation discussing how they tripled SAF use.
• HIF GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSimpliFlying podcast featured HIF Global's Executive Director Meg Gentle discussing synthetic fuels and waste-based pathways for SAF production.
• Montana RenewablescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSimpliFlying podcast featured Montana Renewables' CEO Bruce Fleming discussing scaling SAF using existing refinery infrastructure.
• EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSimpliFlying podcast featured EASA officials discussing the Flight Emissions Label framework for harmonized passenger emissions disclosure.
• Bioleum CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSimpliFlying podcast featured Bioleum's Director of Strategic Market Development Elvis Ebikade discussing Global South SAF production potential.
• Rolls-RoycecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner referenced in case studies - easyJet's collaboration with Rolls-Royce on hydrogen propulsion technology (H2Zero partnership) was discussed in SimpliFlying podcast content.
• AirbuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured in SimpliFlying research and book content. Airbus corporate SAF partnership trials discussed, including routes where Airbus funds SAF purchase.
• BoeingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured in SimpliFlying research and book content. Boeing 787 Dreamliner marketing launch work referenced in case studies.
• JetZerocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnereasyJet partnership with US-based blended-wing aircraft manufacturer JetZero discussed in SimpliFlying podcast content.
• AToba Energy (with World Fuel Services)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributoreasyJet MoU with ATOBA Energy (in partnership with World Fuel Services) to develop long-term SAF supply with diversified pool and indexed pricing.
• Bleriot GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKenya SAF startup featured in SimpliFlying podcast. Bleriot Group developing Kenya's first domestic SAF production capability with Kenya Airways as anchor customer.
• Kenya AirwayscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured in SimpliFlying podcast - Kenya Airways SAF journey and Bleriot Group's domestic SAF production with Kenya Airways as anchor customer.
• Heart AerospacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSimpliFlying podcast featured Heart Aerospace's CEO Anders Forslund discussing the ES-30 electric aircraft and regional aviation transformation.
• Sumitomo Corporation do BrasilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAbra Group partnered with Sumitomo Corporation do Brasil to implement cross-border SAF compliance book-and-claim mechanism under Paris Agreement Article 6.
• Trinity College DublincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRyanair's research partnership with Trinity College Dublin's Ryanair Sustainable Aviation Research Centre, committing €4 million total for SAF pre-screening capability and lifecycle emissions research.
• CatagencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRyanair partnership with Northern Ireland-based Catagen for modular reactor technology producing SAF from waste biomass at distributed locations.
• Phillips 66coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDHL partnership with Phillips 66 for SAF supply as part of building global SAF supply network.
• NestecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDHL partnership with Neste for SAF supply across their global network of stations.
• Cosmo OilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDHL partnership with Cosmo Oil for SAF supply in Asian markets.
• SAF One (Bahrain)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDHL partnership with SAF One project in Bahrain for Middle East SAF supply.
• IAG CargocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDHL five-year agreement with IAG Cargo for book-and-claim SAF arrangement, allowing DHL to purchase emissions reductions from IAG-operated flights.
• Q8AviationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributoreasyJet secured all SAF required for next five years through Q8Aviation supplier agreement.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Cirium: Aviation data, analytics, and consulting firm (part of LexisNexis Risk Solutions) serving airlines, airports, and finance with schedules, fleet, and performance data plus advisory. Comparable as aviation intelligence/research provider with broader institutional footprint.
• OAG: Aviation data and analytics firm offering schedules, reference, and analytical data plus advisory services to airlines, airports, and travel buyers. Comparable as an aviation data/research provider serving similar enterprise buyers.
• McKinsey & Company (Aerospace & Defense Practice): Global management consultancy with a dedicated aerospace and aviation practice advising airlines, airports, OEMs, and regulators on strategy and transformation. Comparable at the high end of aviation strategy advisory with significantly greater scale and resources.

Direct peers

• CAPA - Centre for Aviation: Aviation research, data, and consulting firm serving airlines, airports, and investors with industry analysis and strategic advisory. The most directly comparable peer — same aviation-vertical strategy/research niche, monetized through subscriptions, reports, and consulting engagements.
• Lufthansa Consulting: Aviation strategy consulting arm of the Lufthansa Group serving airlines, airports, and regulators on strategy, operations, and commercial optimization. Directly comparable vertical aviation advisory business with airline-industry DNA.
• IdeaWorksCompany: Boutique airline strategy consulting firm specializing in ancillary revenue, customer experience, and commercial optimization for carriers globally. Closely matches SimpliFlying's boutique aviation-strategy-consulting model and target client base.
• Routes (Routes Online): Route development consultancy and events company serving airports and airlines on network planning, marketing, and connectivity strategy. Comparable aviation-vertical advisory and events business targeting the same airport/airline buyers.
• ASM (Airport Strategy & Marketing): Airport-focused consultancy offering route development, marketing strategy, and operational advisory services. Direct overlap with SimpliFlying's airport advisory work and sustainability/go-to-market offerings.

Emerging players

• Skift: Travel industry research, media, and events company with aviation-focused content, research subscriptions, and consulting. Comparable as a travel/aviation insights brand monetizing through research, events, and editorial — similar thought-leadership-led model.
• Avia Solutions Group: Aviation business group offering consulting, MRO, pilot training, and staffing services across the airline ecosystem. Adjacent aviation services player with a consulting element and overlapping airline client base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/simpliflying
• Xx.com/simpliflying
• Facebookfacebook.com/simpliflying

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Simpliflying