The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has appointed Conrad Clifford as the new regional vice president for Asia Pacific region. He succeeds Maunu von Lueders, who is retiring from IATA.

Clifford joins IATA on February 1 and will be based in its Asia Pacific Regional Office in Singapore.  

His career in aviation spans over 30 years. Most recently he served as acting managing director of Antrak Air Ghana (2012 to 2013), and was formerly CEO of Monarch Travel Group (2010 to 2012) and of Virgin Nigeria (2005 to 2009).  His career has also included work for Cathay Pacific Airways, Virgin Atlantic Airways, Menzies Aviation Group and Emirates.

Welcoming the appointment, the CEO and director general Tony Tyler, said: "Conrad brings to IATA a unique perspective. He has broad and deep experience in both airlines and suppliers; and has lived and worked in many countries in Asia and around the world."

"I am confident that he will provide strong leadership to IATA’s activities as we serve our airline members and industry stakeholders in the dynamic and exciting Asia-Pacific region," he added.

On his new role, Clifford said, "I look forward to leading IATA in Asia Pacific as we embark on the 2nd century of commercial aviation. The region offers tremendous opportunities. Many of the region’s governments are using aviation as a critical element of their economic strategies."

"Some, however, are struggling to provide the foundation for the industry’s success. In both cases IATA has an important role to play. I, personally, will place a key priority on further developing IATA’s partnerships across the region. These will enable IATA’s global standards and global perspective to deliver maximum value to the safe, sustainable and profitable development of aviation," he added.-TradeArabia News Service