Altaf Shaikh

Customer-focused aviation and travel professional with 20+ years across airline ticketing, reservations, corporate and agency sales, and front-line customer service in the Middle East, East Africa, and the U.S. Expert in GDS platforms (Sabre, Galileo, Amadeus), fare construction, group bookings, and end-to-end reservations, with a proven record of building client relationships, resolving customer needs, and driving revenue growth in fast-paced, multicultural environments.

Store Manager / Business Partner at Smoke & Grocery (2018-08 – Present)

• Deliver attentive, solution-focused customer service in a high-volume retail and fuel operation, building repeat clientele and resolving concerns promptly.
• Manage end-to-end operations staff scheduling, inventory, vendor negotiations, cash handling, and compliance driving consistent revenue growth while reducing operating costs.

Key Account Manager at Kenya Airways (2013-09 – 2018-05)

• Managed corporate and agency accounts consistently surpassing annual budget targets with sustained growth in corporate sales.
• Signed the first 10 corporate clients within six months, accelerating market penetration and expanding the account base.
• Coordinated end-to-end group bookings and led GDS roadshows and partner training, securing high materialization rates and booking accuracy.

Sales Executive — Dubai & Northern Emirates at Bahrain Air (2011-05 – 2013-02)

• Developed new agency accounts by finalizing PSA contracts, securing upfront payments, and onboarding partners with system access and training.
• Assumed senior leadership duties during the Operations Manager's absence, ensuring uninterrupted sales and customer service.

EmQuest Executive at Emirates Group (2009-03 – 2011-03)

• Provided hands-on Sabre GDS support and tailored training to travel agencies, improving booking accuracy, agent proficiency, and productivity.
• Configured Travel Journal Record (TJR) controls and designed process shortcuts that cut transaction time and improved compliance.

Supervisor / Sales Executive at NAS Air & Kayala Airlines (2008-04 – 2008-09)

Supervisor / Sales Executive at Bahrain Air (2008-01 – 2008-03)

Supervisor / Sales Executive at Jordan Aviation (2005-03 – 2007-12)

Senior Ticketing & Reservations Staff at Malaysia Airlines (1998-12 – 2005-02)

Bachelor of Commerce – Bombay University