World News – UK – Willie Walsh takes IATA helm as de Juniac steps down

IATA governors are due to recommend former IAG managing director Willie Walsh as the new general manager after Alexandre de Juniac announced his decision to step down at the end of March next year.

The former Air France-KLM boss de Juniac has been Director General of IATA since his successor as Tony Tyler in summer 2016. In late 2019, the IATA Board of Governors proposed extending de Juniac’s term of office. But de Juniac informed the association of his intention to step down from the role a few months ago.

De Juniac will step down as IATA Managing Director and General Manager at the end of March 2021.

De Juniac says: “I did not come to this decision lightly. It has been a lifetime privilege to serve the global aviation industry – what I call the business of freedom – as director of IATA. In recent years IATA has strategically increased its relevance as the voice of the global aviation industry. This was shown in the Covid 19 crisis.

”IATA has set the course with systematic pre-departure tests to restore air connectivity amid the pandemic. We are in the process of preparing to meet critical vaccine distribution requirements. In parallel, we have restructured IATA to weather the crisis and support the industry’s recovery with an organization designed for a smaller industry.

”The building blocks for an industry recovery are in place. And now is the right time to hand over the reins to IATA for the long recovery process. ”

De Juniac’s announcement of his departure took place on the eve of the IATA annual general meeting, which will be held as a virtual event from 24. November takes place and Walsh is proposed as his successor. Walsh, who previously served as IATA’s chief executive officer, resigned from IAG in September.

Walsh has been Group Chief Executive of IAG since its inception in 2011, having previously headed British Airways and Aer Lingus

“Alexandre has led our industry through extraordinary times. Under his leadership, IATA has become a stronger and even more relevant organization, ”says IATA CEO and Lufthansa Managing Director Carsten Spohr.

”I’m also delighted that we’re the 76th. IATA General Assembly can present a very capable candidate to follow Alexandre in this important role. I am confident that Willie will be a great Director General for IATA. ”

Walsh will become the eighth Director General of IATA when he takes on the role in April 2021.

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International Air Transport Association, International Airlines Group, Alexandre de Juniac, William M. . Walsh