Asian Aviation Editor Matt Driskill is In Conversation with Nick Gitsis, the CEO of Dornier Technology in the Philippines. The two discuss MRO in the Philippines, supply chain management, tariffs, and more. Gitsis is a long-established aviation entrepreneur and currently serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Dornier Technology, Inc., an independent MRO provider headquartered at Clark International Airport in the Philippines.
Under his guidance, the company has achieved major milestones, including its recent approval as a U.S. FAA-certified foreign repair station for Airbus A320-family heavy maintenance. Gitsis’ involvement in Philippine aviation began in 1995 when he co-founded SEAIR (South East Asian Airlines) with aviation pioneer Iren Dornier. Over the years, SEAIR led several breakthrough initiatives, including introducing Boracay, Palawan, Siargao, and Batanes into mainstream tourism from what were once primarily backpacker destinations. In 2010, the airline entered into the country’s first marketing partnership with Singapore Airlines’ low-cost arm, Tiger Airways, paving the way for a new era of low-cost carrier dynamics in the Philippine market. Tiger Airways later acquired a 40% stake in SEAIR in 2012, bringing in five Airbus A320 aircraft and transitioning the airline into a low-cost carrier under the brand “Tiger Philippines.” The airline was subsequently purchased in full by Cebu Pacific in 2014.
Dornier and Gitsis retained the SEAIR brand and integrated the former cargo division into SEAIR International, the second airline that they founded. Through SEAIR and related ventures, Gitsis gained deep hands-on expertise in airline operations, ground-handling, and aviation business development—experience that ultimately shaped the direction and growth of Dornier Technology. Since taking the helm at Dornier Technology, Gitsis has steered the organisation toward broader regional and international opportunities. He spearheaded the company’s pursuit of FAA repair station certification, strengthening Dornier’s ability to service airlines beyond the Philippines and prepare for higher-level maintenance work, including D-Checks. He continues to build Dornier Technology’s long-term roadmap, with expansion plans that include serving markets in the United States, Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, and the Pacific. He is also leading efforts to raise approximately US$50 million in capital to enlarge the company’s hangar capacity, reinforce its workforce, and scale its operational capabilities.
Originally from the United States, Gitsis moved to the Philippines at age 25 and has since built both his professional career and personal life in the country. His belief in the Philippines’ potential as a major MRO hub—driven by its skilled workforce and favorable geographic position—continues to motivate his advocacy for local aviation growth and talent development. Beyond Dornier Technology, he also serves as a director of cargo airline SEAIR International and Philippine ground handling company Transnational Aviation Support Services, reflecting his long-standing engagement in the wider Philippine aviation and ground-handling sectors.
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