Behind AEI’s success are not coincidences. It’s the people.

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Behind AEI’s success are no coincidences. There are people. Read our interview with AEI’s Chief Operating Officer, Ľuboš Záborský, and Chief Technical Officer, Matej Pecek.

In this interview, you’ll learn:

• How Matej and Ľuboš built their careers over more than a decade at AEI.
• Why maintenance is at the heart of AEI’s success.
• Which innovations are changing aircraft maintenance today.
• How AEI handled one of the most challenging periods in aviation.
• What makes a strong team and why shared values matter.

You have both been with AEI for more than 10 years. What has your professional journey looked like from the day you joined until your current position?

Matej: I joined AEI in November 2011 as a Station Manager. It was a combined role – I was responsible for the operation of our station in Timișoara while also working as a non-certified aircraft mechanic.

When this position was being phased out, Branislav offered me a role at the head office, where I became Chief Technical Officer (CTO). Later, I joined the Bratislava Operations (BTS OPS) team while continuing to serve as CTO.

Around 2017, following several organizational changes, I moved to the Quality Department, first as Deputy Quality Manager and later as Head of Quality. In 2023, I returned to the role of CTO. This year marks my 14th year with the company. Yes, there have been many changes, but they have always happened naturally and as part of the company’s growth.

Ľuboš: I joined AEI at the end of August 2012 as a PPC Officer, working a seven-days-on, seven-days-off shift pattern.

When PPC operations transitioned to 24/7 coverage, the Bratislava Operations Department was established, and Matej and I both became part of it. Over time, my responsibilities expanded, and I eventually became Chief Operating Officer (COO). Besides overseeing operations, I gradually took on customer communication, invoicing, and contract negotiations.

Together with Matej, we’re among the company’s “old hands.” We’ve worked across most of AEI’s stations and have seen how the company has evolved from the ground up.

How would you describe the role of the Maintenance Department within AEI’s overall operations?

Matej: Maintenance is the cornerstone of our company. Without it, most of our other departments wouldn’t be needed, and many of the additional services we provide would be much more difficult to deliver.

Branislav likes to joke that 95% of all problems come from the Technical Department. But that’s perfectly understandable because the Technical Department deals with almost everything that matters – from customers to mechanics.

Ľuboš: And now, seriously. Our department’s responsibility is to ensure we have the right people, the right tools, the right materials, and the right contracts with both customers and suppliers. My role is to connect all these pieces and make sure they work together efficiently.

Which technological or process innovations in aircraft maintenance are currently the most interesting to you?

Matej: Anything that genuinely helps us move forward. When I joined the company, we relied mainly on emails and Excel spreadsheets stored in Dropbox. Over time, we introduced our own intranet and various internal systems. I believe new technologies should always deliver real efficiency and save people time.

Ľuboš: I’m particularly interested in the use of artificial intelligence for searching technical documentation. If AI can help mechanics find the right procedures faster, it makes their work much easier.

Another major topic in our industry is tool tracking, making sure every tool returns exactly where it belongs after the job is done.

Matej: We’ve also experimented with drones for aircraft damage inspections. The idea is promising, but there are still many practical challenges. As a company, we see ourselves more as implementers than developers, so we prefer adopting proven technologies and putting them into practice.

What has been the biggest challenge you’ve had to deal with?

Matej: It’s difficult to choose just one. Whatever challenge we’re facing at the moment always feels like the biggest one. But they all have one thing in common: making sure the customer is satisfied.

Ľuboš: For me, it was definitely the COVID-19 pandemic.

At that time, most of our operations were based in Romania, while the majority of our employees came from Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Travel restrictions made everything much more complicated, but the aircraft still had to remain airworthy. Some of our colleagues stayed at the base for as long as three months without rotation. Besides staffing, we also had to manage the complex logistics of transporting tools and materials.

What do you consider the key moments that have shaped your career at AEI?

Matej: Definitely my first meeting with Branislav. It was open, honest, and straightforward. Beyond that, every major challenge we’ve faced has helped me grow professionally.

Ľuboš: From the very beginning, I appreciated that the company had clearly defined values — Passion, Discipline, and Working Together — and, more importantly, that it genuinely lives by them.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

Matej: Seeing processes work better than they did before. Sometimes the improvements are small, but together they make a significant difference.

Ľuboš: I enjoy seeing things come together — signing a good contract, successfully completing a complex aircraft repair, or welcoming back a customer after some time away. Those moments are always rewarding.

What do AEI’s values mean to you personally?

Matej: They make my professional life easier. I know what’s expected of me, and I know my colleagues approach their work with the same mindset.

Ľuboš: I believe every problem has at least one solution, and our values help us find it.

In your opinion, what is the secret of a well-functioning team?

Ľuboš: Having the right people who share the same vision. If every team member is working towards a different goal, the team simply won’t succeed.

If you had to describe what AEI means to you in one sentence, what would it be?

Matej: Bringing together people who share the same values and making aviation more efficient.

Ľuboš: A strong team united by one goal: always doing more for the customer.