Nkululeko Ntombela is a seasoned aviation systems specialist with over 15 years of experience in air traffic management, CNS systems, and innovation strategy. He serves as Supervisor of Technical Services at ATNS Upington and formerly held leadership roles including Vice President of Operations for SAATSEPA and Technical Standards Specialist in the ATNS CEO’s office. Internationally, he contributes to EUROCAE WG-114/SAE G-34 on AI in aviation and chairs South Africa’s Innovation Work Group under the National ATM/CNS Implementation Committee. A published IEEE researcher, he holds engineering and business qualifications from UNISA, DUT, and Wits Business School, along with multiple aviation and safety certifications. His work bridges technical excellence, regulatory alignment, and strategic innovation in aviation systems.