Charles E. Schlumberger, a Swiss national, is the Lead Air Transport Specialist based in Washington DC. In this function he is responsible for the World Bank’s policy and development priorities in the field of air transportation. He supervises or participates directly in several air transport projects globally, which range from air transport infrastructure financing, air carrier restructuring and/or privatization, air transport safety and security projects, and air transport policy advice to governments. Prior to his appointment to the World Bank in 1998, Charles has held the position of Vice-President at Union Bank of Switzerland, responsible for international credit restructuring. Prior to his activities in financial institutions he was the CEO of a Logistics and Transport Group in France and worked as a lawyer on aviation related matters in Switzerland. Charles graduated in 1986 with a Law Degree from Basel Law School, focusing on Aviation Law and Bankruptcy Procedures. He further holds an MBA from Harvard Business School in Boston, USA, and a degree of Doctor of Civil Law from the Institute of Air and Space Law of McGill University in Montreal, Canada. He is also an active FAA and EASA licensed pilot and certified flight instructor, and a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.