Oriens Aviation Appoints Narine Melkumjan as Dutch Sales Manager

Oriens Aviation has appointed Narine Melkumjan to lead its sales operations for the Dutch market. Operating from Breda International Airport, Melkumjan serves as the primary contact for private pilots, flight schools, and flying clubs in the Netherlands who are interested in the manufacturer's lineup of aircraft.

This appointment marks an important development for the company's Dutch subsidiary, which was established in June. The expansion brings the same comprehensive approach—encompassing sales, ongoing maintenance, and ownership assistance—that the dealer has provided to clients in Ireland and the United Kingdom since 2021. Within the Netherlands, the firm handles the piston engine range, which includes single-engine models like the P2008JC NG, the P-Mentor for instrument flight rule training, the P2010 and Sport lines for private owners, and the twin-engine P2006T NG.

Melkumjan brings extensive background experience to the role, holding an EASA frozen ATPL with multi-engine and instrument ratings, alongside a Flight Instructor rating. Having logged over 860 flight hours, with more than 470 spent instructing students in Germany and the Netherlands on aircraft such as the Tecnam P2008JC, her aviation background began on a Tecnam P2002 at Vliegschool Hilversum. In addition to instructional experience, she is an accomplished aerobatic competitor who won the Intermediate category at the Dutch Open National Aerobatic Championship in 2019, becoming the first female pilot to achieve the title. Academically, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business Administration from HAN University of Applied Sciences and communicates in Dutch, English, Russian, Armenian, Ukrainian, and German.

Reflecting on the appointment, Melkumjan noted her long history with the manufacturer's aircraft, explaining that she learned to fly and spent years teaching on them, recognizing their utility for students, instructors, and owners alike. Oriens Aviation CEO Edwin Brenninkmeyer highlighted that Melkumjan pairs an instructor's insight into flight school requirements with commercial acumen and strong local connections. Tecnam Chief Sales Officer Walter Da Costa added that having a sales manager familiar with the aircraft from the cockpit ensures Dutch customers receive knowledgeable support from initial flight through delivery and beyond.

Data indicates that utilizing these single and twin engine training fleets can reduce carbon dioxide emissions significantly, saving up to 10 tonnes per student completing a Commercial Pilot Licence compared to fleets running on 100LL fuel over 155 hours, including 30 hours in a twin-engine aircraft.

Sources: Tecnam