Yuriy Rubanov

Yuriy Rubanov is a seasoned aviation and transport expert with over 36 years of experience, specialising in the ex-USSR and CIS markets, particularly Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan and Georgia, while maintaining an extensive global track record across four continents.

He began his career as an Air Traffic Controller (First Grade) at Kharkiv International Airport, Ukraine, where he gained firsthand operational expertise in Approach Control and Tower operations. This hands-on foundation remains the cornerstone of his consulting work, giving him an unmatched understanding of the real-world mechanics of airport and airspace systems.

Following his ATC career, Yuriy transitioned to international management with Azov Shipping Company, serving as Managing Director of Azov Shipping Holding GmbH in Vienna, overseeing strategic operations, subsidiary supervision and international business development.

In 2000, he joined Airport Consulting Vienna GmbH (now Airport Competence GmbH), where he spent 26 years as Manager Central & Eastern Europe. During this time, he collaborated on numerous high-profile projects for the World Bank, EBRD, IFC and TACIS, delivering traffic forecasts, master plans, feasibility studies and strategic development concepts for airports across 25+ countries.

Yuriy has developed advanced traffic forecast models leveraging mathematical solutions to address complex relationships between traffic drivers and market dynamics. His ability to identify key demand determinants and produce reliable, defensible forecasts has made him a trusted expert for both international financial institutions and private investors.

In 2026, Yuriy launched Rubanov Airport Consulting, bringing the same rigour, depth and global network to independent project-based engagements, expert review mandates and long-term advisory roles.