EDWARD HO
Edward is EVA Air General Manager for Austria, Central- and Eastern Europe. EVA Air is a 100% privately owned company based in Taipei, Taiwan. Edward has joined the company in 1991 when the airline launched its inaugural flight from Taipei to Bangkok. He had received an intensive training from the beginning and has since then gained thorough knowledge in the international aviation business over more than three decades with EVA Air. After his marriage in 1993 he spent his honeymoon in Austria and returned to the country in 1999, having in the meantime finished his studies in the USA and having worked in several different divisions of EVA Air. Due to his love for the city, he has settled in Vienna with his family for good and has been General Manager since 2011. He has dedicated his work to establish a truly European hub in Vienna with excellent travel and cargo transportation between Europe and Asia, building cultural bridges between Vienna and Taipei.
Which role does craftsmanship play in your personal life?
Craftsmanship is important to everyone serving in the airline industry. It can bring satisfaction, creativity and a sense of accomplishment in various aspect of professions. It involves attention to detail and a dedication to producing high-quality team work for safety, services, or other pursuits.
Very personally, I love cooking and everything that is connected with it, meaning for example table culture or dining culture. I appreciate high-quality ceramics, also handmade, on a set table and elegant cutlery.
Furthermore, one of my hobbies is Kyūdō, the Japanese martial art of archery. The bow used is called a yumi and particularly striking is the recognizable craftsmanship of this bamboo bow and bamboo arrows.
Which crafts sector fascinates you the most?
Even though the airline industry itself isn’t traditionally associated with craftsmanship, some aspects of it do involve a high level of skill and attention to details. The aircraft interior design fascinates me the most: including the seats, cabin layout, and in-flight entertainment… This requires a design and craftsmanship approach to create comfortable and aesthetically pleasing spaces for passengers.
Do you believe in a future of craftsmanship? What could it look like?
Craftsmanship in the airline industry will likely adapt to advanced technology in materials and manufacturing, bespoke cabin interiors or unique in-flight amenities tailored to individual preferences, creating more eco-friendly and sustainable components…in order to continue delivering high-quality, safe, and comfortable air travel experiences.
Tradition or innovation - what do you consider more important?
Effective innovation will originate from a valuable tradition. As an airliner, we always need a sense of mission and responsibility to ensure the safety and quality of services. This company culture stands for our tradition which always drives us to keep faith in and pace for innovation with the times.
How important are networks and platforms like MEISTERSTRASSE today?
Except providing avenues for exposure, collaboration, and learning, great networks and platforms like MEISTERSTRASSE can connect other craftsmen, which allows for the exchange of ideas, techniques, and opportunities. Through online platforms you can even showcase and sell crafted products, expanding the reach of artisans. A good network enhances visibility, fosters community, and contributes to the growth and success of craftsmen.
Which producers made you happy as a customer recently?
As a customer in airline industry, we are satisfied with and appreciate the commercial manufactories, like Boeing, Airbus…These companies collaborate with a vast network of suppliers and craftsmen specializing in areas such as avionics, engines, interiors, and more. We are happy with their delivering reliable and efficient aircraft, meeting safety standards, providing excellent customer services and adapting to evolving industry needs.