Building Connections Beyond Recruitment: A Conversation with Brookfield’s Regional Business Manager Alejandro Vidal
- Jun 5
- 4 min read
Aviation recruitment goes far beyond filling vacancies, requiring strong relationships, continuous communication, and operational understanding. In this interview, Brookfield Aviation’s Regional Business Manager Alejandro Vidal shares insights into the realities of pilot recruitment, the challenges faced by airlines and candidates, and why human connection remains central to long-term success.
Published: 5 June 2026
Written by: Shreya Majumder
In aviation recruitment, success is often measured by numbers, how many pilots are hired, how quickly positions are filled, or how efficiently projects are delivered. Yet behind every successful placement lies something far less measurable: relationships, persistence, and an ability to navigate people as effectively as processes.
Since joining Brookfield Aviation on 19 April 2022, Alejandro Vidal, Brookfield’s Regional Business Managers has experienced firsthand the increasingly dynamic nature of global pilot recruitment. Working across multiple airline projects while balancing the demands of pilots and operators alike, his role illustrates how recruitment in aviation extends far beyond matching résumés with vacancies.
In this article, he reflects on his journey, the realities of aviation recruitment, and why the human element remains central in an industry driven by precision.
Before entering aviation recruitment, his professional path was built around customer-facing industries and operational coordination.
"Before joining Brookfield, I worked in logistics and transportation outsourcing for US companies. Before that, I worked in customer service and even spent time working aboard a cruise ship in sales before the pandemic."
Although the industries differed, they shared common themes, communication, adaptability, and managing people under pressure. Those experiences now play a significant role in his current responsibilities at Brookfield.
As a Regional Business Manager, his role extends far beyond traditional recruitment functions. "I mostly recruit pilots for active projects, but there is also a management side to it. We remain in constant communication with both pilots and clients and deal with issues that can arise from either side."
Current projects include supporting airlines such as Air Haifa and Royal Jordanian, where recruitment efforts are integrated into broader operational support.
Unlike many industries where hiring concludes once a candidate signs a contract, aviation recruitment often continues long after onboarding begins.
Questions relating to simulator assessments, joining timelines, documentation, visa requirements, and operational concerns frequently require immediate action. "Our work becomes almost permanent. Sometimes we are answering messages after working hours or taking urgent action when necessary."
For airlines evaluating recruitment partners, this level of continuous engagement can become a decisive advantage. Hiring pilots is rarely just about sourcing candidates; it is about managing the process, maintaining communication, and ensuring operational continuity.
For airline operators, recruitment today represents a strategic challenge rather than a simple HR process. As airlines continue to expand fleets and restore networks, finding qualified crew while maintaining operational timelines remains increasingly complex.
For Brookfield, success is measured by the ability to convert demand into successful placements. "One of the most rewarding things is when we finally meet a client's requirements. After months of hard work, seeing a project come together makes you proud."
He explains that projects often involve multiple moving parts, with candidate availability, simulator scheduling, documentation processes, and operational needs all requiring careful coordination.
Perhaps the clearest example of this came through his experience with Royal Jordanian Airlines. "The highlight of my time at Brookfield has been working with Royal Jordanian. It started with many challenges and complications, but over time it developed into one of the most stable projects I have been involved in."
For airlines, this stability carries significant value. Recruitment partnerships become strongest not when projects begin smoothly, but when challenges are addressed and transformed into long-term solutions.
For pilots considering new opportunities, the recruitment process can often appear uncertain and highly competitive. Negotiating joining dates, simulator availability, relocation timelines, and career expectations frequently create pressure for candidates entering new roles.
According to him, communication and trust remain essential. "Talking to pilots from different nationalities and backgrounds can be challenging. Negotiations can be difficult because everyone has different circumstances and expectations." He adds: "You need to be straightforward and make clear that your role is to help them achieve that opportunity."
This reflects an increasingly important aspect of modern recruitment: acting as an advisor rather than simply a recruiter. For pilots exploring career opportunities, having direct support during complex transitions often makes a substantial difference.
Conclusion
When discussing future ambitions, his focus remains closely aligned with Brookfield’s long-term vision. "I hope to be involved in another large-scale project where we continue providing pilots over the long term. Building a strong and lasting partnership with an airline would be something very rewarding."
That ambition reflects something larger than individual success. For airlines, it represents a commitment to stable and dependable recruitment support. For pilots, it signals long-term opportunities rather than temporary placements.
And for Brookfield, it reinforces a philosophy that appears increasingly important in today's aviation environment: successful recruitment is not simply about filling positions, it is about building partnerships that last.
Key Facts:
Alejandro Vidal joined Brookfield Aviation on 19 April 2022
Role: Regional Business Manager
Works across multiple airline projects including Air Haifa and Royal Jordanian
Focuses on pilot recruitment, client management, and operational support
Recruitment involves ongoing engagement beyond initial placement
Challenges include simulator scheduling, documentation, and pilot coordination
Strong emphasis on communication, trust, and relationship building
Long-term goal: develop large-scale, stable airline partnerships
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Author: Shreya Majumder Aviation staffing and consultancy insights LinkedIn
