For aircraft travelling into or near conflict zones such as Kashmir, the planning must account for worst-case scenarios
Escalating conflict zones, civil unrest, and increasingly sophisticated criminal networks are contributing to a growing sense of uncertainty for business travellers. In such a volatile global landscape, some are questioning whether certain trips are worth the risk.
Eric Schouten, a former intelligence liaison officer with the Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service, believes the business aviation sector is right to be concerned – but says safe travel is possible with the right tools and training.
“People are now more scared, and that can make them freeze [in making travel decisions], but mitigation is possible with intelligence, preparation, and training,” he told . Schouten will speak at EBACE 2025 in a session entitled Navigating the Chaos, held on Wednesday at 3.30pm. His company, Dyami Security Intelligence, is working with the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) to deliver new training initiatives aimed at bolstering industry resilience.
While acknowledging the seriousness of the threat landscape, Schouten argues that opportunity exists for those who are willing to prepare properly. Operators who implement robust security frameworks can not only reduce risk but also offer a premium, peace-of-mind product to clients.
Historically, he says, the industry has not prioritised security enough. That, he believes, is starting to change.
From Pilot To Protector
“With the right preparation, flight crew at small companies can be their own security managers,” Schouten said. Dyami provides operators – including Shell Aircraft – with global threat assessments and strategic planning tools to help them navigate travel in high-risk areas.
This includes templates and checklists covering fixed-base operators (FBOs), accommodation, and ground transport – far beyond just managing airspace risks. “Security preparation is about much more than just overflight risks; it now extends to risks like espionage. You need to establish a baseline for travel risk management,” he said.
For aircraft travelling into or near conflict zones such as Kashmir, the planning must account for worst-case scenarios. “You have to think through what happens if something goes wrong – how we help crews who get into trouble, and what might happen if an aircraft gets stuck somewhere,” Schouten said.
Training For Uncertain World
An essential part of any security strategy is staff training – a challenge for operators already stretched thin. To address this, Dyami recently launched the Dyami Academy, offering immersive training sessions through a combination of remote and in-person formats.
Using a virtual reality platform, the programme allows staff to practise responding to security threats on their own devices – helping to reduce time away from core duties while keeping crews engaged.
Charlotte Bakker, the company’s chief operating officer, said that while the VR tools are effective, they do not replace face-to-face learning altogether. “These sessions are where our experts help build the confidence people need to stay on the right side of the risk,” she said.
In an increasingly unstable world, the message from Schouten and his team is clear: fear is understandable, but preparation is essential – and with it, safe travel remains within reach.
