By ✈️ Race Against Time: Azhar Qureshi’s 27-Year Journey Behind the Gates of Global Aviation
A long-serving Swissair station manager reflects on high-stakes airport operations, leadership under pressure, and the untold stories of aviation’s unsung heroes.
For nearly three decades, Azhar Qureshi stood at the crossroads of chaos and coordination, ensuring flights took off on time—even when everything else was going wrong. From the bustling terminals of Jeddah to the operational heart of Karachi, Qureshi managed airport operations for Swissair and Swiss International Air Lines for 27 years—a career now immortalized in his compelling memoir, Race Against Time: A Swissair Station Manager’s 27‑Year Journey.
From Trainee to Station Manager: A 27‑Year Masterclass in Aviation
Fresh out of college, Qureshi joined Swissair in 1978, launching a lifelong career in aviation. Swissair’s world-class training shaped his expertise in Passenger Service, Load Control, Cargo Sales & Services, Flight Operation Assistance, and Dangerous Goods Handling. Over the years, he completed 58 courses and exams—34 in Zurich and other parts of Switzerland, the rest in Brussels, Paris, Athens, Jeddah, Dhahran, Dubai, and Karachi.
In the early 1980s, he passed Swissair’s elite Leadership & Management exams, setting the stage for a series of leadership roles:
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March 1991: Promoted to Station Manager, Jeddah Airport
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March 1994: Transferred to Riyadh, overseeing operations in one of the Kingdom’s most complex hubs
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2000: Took over Station Abu Dhabi, followed by Station Karachi from December 2000 until 2004
Each step reflects years of expertise and a passion for aviation excellence.
A Life in Airports — The Human Side of 27 Years in Global Aviation
I had the privilege of working for twenty-seven years with Swissair/Swiss International Air Lines, including thirteen years as Duty Manager and Deputy Station Manager at Jeddah Airport,” Qureshi explains. “I also served as Station Manager in several locations—Jeddah (1991–1994), Riyadh (1994–2000), Abu Dhabi (2000), and Karachi (2001–2004). After Swiss International ceased operations in Karachi due to economic and security reasons, I moved to New York.
The idea for writing his story emerged in the mid-1990s while on vacation in Canada, when his uncle—a Ph.D. in English and an author—encouraged him to write about his experiences. Still, it wasn’t until after a major spine surgery in 2021, during a long recovery in early 2022, that he finally began writing what would become Race Against Time.
Over the next three years, I compiled more than fifty accounts from my time at four airports,” he says. The primary purpose? “To guide the next generation of managers and supervisors in navigating the operational complexities of airline environments.
Some of the core lessons Qureshi hopes to impart:
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Resolving high-pressure issues where customer service and safety intersect
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Leading decisively during crises
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Adapting to last-minute changes
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Staying composed during night shifts, irregular hours, and long delays
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Thinking beyond manuals—applying real-world judgment
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Building teams, managing stress, and planning ahead
Operating in Jeddah and Riyadh posed especially tough challenges: managing Hajj and Umrah crowds, coordinating with immigration and customs, and overcoming authority bottlenecks. “Passenger boarding often meant working with multiple departments that didn’t always align—and each flight felt like a race against time.”
By contrast, Abu Dhabi was smoother, while Karachi introduced him to a new dynamic: “For the first time, I had a full team, including a secretary and office assistants—something I never had in the Middle East.”
Despite the physical toll, missed family moments, and emotional strain, Qureshi reflects: “I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Swissair. It shaped my worldview, my professionalism, and allowed me to build lifelong friendships from Tokyo to Los Angeles.”
Race Against Time: A Swissair Station Manager’s 27‑Year Journey
From the chaotic arrival and departure halls of Jeddah & Riyadh to the tranquil tarmacs of Abu Dhabi & Karachi, this rare memoir delivers an insider’s look into managing airline operations at the globe’s most challenging airports.
Through powerful storytelling and professional insight, Qureshi pays tribute to the unsung heroes behind each departure gate. The book explores how split‑second decisions, night‑shift endurance, and leadership under pressure shape safety, service, and satisfaction—both for staff and for passengers.
This memoir is a must-read for aspiring aviation professionals, frequent flyers, and anyone curious about what truly happens behind the scenes in global airline operations. It’s both a testimony to Swissair’s legacy and a blueprint for future leaders.
Now residing in New York, Azhar continues to guide and inspire the next generation of aviation professionals.
In His Own Words: Azhar Qureshi on Career, Culture & Legacy
Who is Azhar Qureshi, in a nutshell?
“I’m a dedicated aviation professional turned storyteller…”
What is the central message of your book?
“It’s about resilience, adaptability, and smart decision-making under pressure. Behind every smooth flight is a team working tirelessly. I want readers to understand the intensity and leadership behind the scenes.”
How did working in diverse environments shape your perspective?
“Saudi Arabia meant navigating religious seasons and diplomatic challenges. Abu Dhabi was more structured, while Karachi had its own unique complexities. These experiences shaped my worldview and taught me to lead with empathy.”
Who should read Race Against Time?
“This is for aviation professionals, young managers, frequent flyers, and anyone who loves real-world stories of perseverance and teamwork.”
What were some of the most intense moments in your career?
“Hajj operations in Jeddah were some of the most complex projects I handled. And in Karachi, a 41-hour nonstop shift managing two aircraft pushed my limits physically and mentally.”
Looking back, do you have any regrets or lessons for young professionals?
“I regret not documenting these stories earlier. Also, I could’ve pursued more formal academic qualifications. To young professionals: don’t wait for the perfect time—start now, stay curious, and find mentors.”
What was the writing process like?
“The writing began during recovery from spine surgery in early 2022. It took over three years. What kept me going was encouragement from friends who believed these stories needed to be told.”
Where did you draw your inspiration from when writing?
“Mostly memory, but also flight logs, old documents, and chats with colleagues. These experiences are etched in me.”
What surprised you most about yourself during the writing process?
“I didn’t realize how emotionally invested I was until I started writing. I care deeply about people—their dignity, their stress, their dedication.”
What values did Swissair instill in you?
“Swissair taught me discipline, precision, and integrity. There were no shortcuts, and that mindset has guided every challenge I’ve faced since.”
Why highlight the ‘unsung heroes’ in your memoir?
“Because I lived it. I saw teams make sacrifices every day without recognition. They’re the real engine of aviation.”
Any advice for aspiring writers?
“Start small. Write from the heart. Don’t chase perfection—just be persistent. If your story comes from a place of truth, it will find its audience.”
What’s next for you?
“More writing, mentoring, and speaking. This book is just the beginning. I want to keep giving back.”
Where to Find Race Against Time
- 📘 Amazon (Soft Cover)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F9DS8JVX -
📘 Generis Publishing
https://generis-publishing.com/book.php?title=race-against-time-2759 -
📘 Libroterra
https://libro-terra.com/shop/biography-memoir/race-against-time-2759/ -
📘 Bookfinder (ISBN 979‑8‑89248‑984‑3)
https://www.bookfinder.com/search/?isbn=979-8-89248-984-3
Coming Soon: Azhar Qureshi on the European Startup Insider Podcast
In line with our commitment to spotlighting industry leaders and global changemakers, European Startup Insider will soon invite Mr. Azhar Qureshi to appear—remotely from New York—on our Podcast Studio based in Lisbon, Portugal. He’ll dive deeper into the stories behind Race Against Time, share lessons from 27 years in high-stakes aviation, and reflect on his continued mission to mentor and inspire.
Stay tuned for the episode, launching soon across all major podcast platforms.
