Sundaram Nataraja

Professor Sundaram Nataraja (Dr. Raj) is a seasoned academic with over 39 years of combined industry and teaching experience. He serves as a Professor in the Department of Aviation at Central Washington University, previously holding the position of Department Chair from 2015-2018. His teaching focuses on aviation management disciplines, including air transportation systems, aviation finance, international management, and strategic marketing.

Dr. Raj holds diverse qualifications from institutions including the University of Madras, University of Oxford, and US institutions like Daytona State College and the University of South Dakota. He completed specialized certifications from IATA and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, including a FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. His research explores aviation economics, strategic planning in higher education, and organizational mission-effectiveness correlations, with notable studies on Emirates Airlines, airport economic impacts, and Saudi Arabian business strategies.

His industry experience spans 16 years with major airlines including Emirates, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and United Airlines. Research interests bridge aviation operations with broader strategic management topics, emphasizing the intersection of corporate mission statements with operational success metrics. Over 12 published works demonstrate his expertise in airline competition dynamics, airport economic contributions, and cross-cultural human resource management.

Teaching responsibilities include advanced courses like Aviation Management Capstone and International Aviation Management, reflecting his industry-informed pedagogy. Active in professional development, he advises on aviation career professionalism and emerging technologies like drone operations. Current research focuses on strategic alliances in global aviation and economic impacts of major airports.