Claude Hurley, a former Transport Canada official and permanent representative of Canada to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council, has taken the role of director of environment and flight operations for the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC).

In this position, Hurley will lead IBAC’s environmental initiatives, including efforts to raise awareness of sustainable aviation fuel and other measures to reduce business aviation’s environmental footprint. In addition, he will represent IBAC at key ICAO bodies that set standards and guidance on environmental and operational safety matters.

“We are honored to have Claude join the IBAC team," said IBAC director general Kurt Edwards. “Given his respected work at ICAO as Canada’s representative to the council and as an air navigation commissioner, his regulatory experience at Transport Canada, and his flying assignments around the world, he brings a depth of understanding of the environmental and operational complexities facing international business aviation.”

As the permanent representative of Canada to ICAO, Hurley has held key roles at the international body over the past nine years, including two terms as president of the Air Navigation Commission. He also worked on a range of environmental, safety, security, new entrants, and pandemic-related issues. A former officer and pilot in the Canadian Armed Forces, Hurley joined Transport Canada in 2010, leading aviation safety oversight teams.