The International Air Transport Association (Iata), which represents about 230 airlines, has appointed Tony Tyler, former chief executive of Cathay Pacific, to succeed Giovanni Bisignani as its director general and CEO.

Tyler’s appointment is effective from July 1, at which point Bisignani will become Director General Emeritus, Iata said in a statement.

Iata also announced the appointment of Peter Hartman, president and CEO of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, who will succeed David Bronczek, CEO of FedEx Express, as chairman of the Iata Board of Governors following the completion of Bronczek’s one-year term.

This appointment is effective immediately and is for one year, it added.
The leadership changes were announced at the conclusion of the association’s 67th annual general meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit in Singapore.

“My goal is to make the world a better place for airlines to do the important business of connecting 2.8 billion people and 48 million tonnes of cargo,” Tyler said.

“I look forward to working with Peter, the board, and all of our members to ensure that Iata meets changing needs with innovation and continues to deliver results that are relevant to our members,” said Tyler.

Tyler, who has worked with Cathay Pacific Airways since 1978, served as the airline’s chief executive from 2007 until his retirement in March. Tyler also served on the Iata board of governors from 2007 to March 2011 and was its chairman from June 2009 to June 2010.

Bisignani said: “I am pleased to hand over the leadership of Iata to Tony. He brings all the right personal qualities and business experiences needed to take Iata to even greater heights. It has been a challenging decade. Iata and the industry survived and grew stronger because we had the courage to change and the focus to deliver.”

Bronczek added: “Giovanni’s unique and passionate leadership over the last decade has been a tremendous asset for Iata and the industry. And we are better for it. On behalf of all Iata members, we wish Giovanni well in his next endeavors.”

“I also had the honor to chair the selection committee of the Board that recommended Tony’s appointment and I am pleased that the AGM has confirmed our decision. Tony has our full confidence to take Iata to the next level of industry leadership.”

“Iata’s leadership touches all the critical industry issues from safety and security, to environment and Simplifying the Business. I look forward to working with Giovanni and then Tony. The industry’s environment is changing rapidly,” said Hartman.

“We must continue our joint efforts towards a sustainable aviation industry, to deliver the needed change to react quickly to crises, and also to proactively modernize processes and spread best practices.”

An almost 40-year industry veteran, Hartman has been president and CEO of KLM since 2007 and has served on the Iata board of governors since 2008.

“Bronczek’s leadership guided us through an exceptionally quick recovery from the financial crisis of 2008–2009. And this recovery assisted us in dealing with the unprecedented succession of crises that have marked this year. I know that Peter is well prepared for the many challenges ahead,” Bisignani said.

“The agenda for the rest of 2011 includes delivering 10 per cent e-freight volumes by the end of this year, challenging Europe on the inclusion of international aviation in its Emissions Trading Scheme, and making progress on the Checkpoint of the Future,” he added.

Iata also appointed Alan Joyce, CEO of Qantas, to serve as chairman from June 2012, following Hartman’s term. – TradeArabia News Service