The International Air Transport Association has named Willie Walsh as chairman of its board of governors and confirmed Alexandre de Juniac as the association’s new director general and CEO.
Walsh, who is CEO if International Airlines Group, succeeds Andres Conesa, CEO of Aeromexico, and has taken up duties for a one-year term.
“I’m honoured to serve in this important role at such a critical time,” said Walsh. “Our top priority is getting governments’ agreement on a global market-based measure to manage aviation’s carbon emissions at the 39th assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization later this year. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity which is vital if our industry is to achieve carbon-neutral growth from 2020.”
De Juniac will take up his duties from September 1, 2016, and will be the association’s seventh director general, succeeding Tony Tyler.
“I know how challenging it is to run an airline and how much airlines depend on IATA to support their business, to safely process industry money, to deliver effective advocacy, to lead global initiatives and to provide relevant products and services,” said de Juniac. “My aim is to help airlines to be even more successful businesses creating even greater economic and social value. I want all of our members to have a future that is even safer, more efficient, sustainable and increasingly profitable.”
Walsh has been on the IATA board since 2005, while de Juniac will join the association from Air France-KLM, where he has been chairman and CEO since 2013, according to IATA.