Former British Airways, Aer
Lingus and IAG chief executive Willie Walsh has officially taken on the role of
director general of IATA, the eighth holder of the position.
Walsh said, “I am passionate
about our industry and about the critical work that IATA does on behalf of its
members, never more so than during the Covid-19 crisis. IATA has been at the
forefront of efforts to restart global connectivity, including developing the
IATA Travel Pass.
“Together, the IATA team is
absolutely focused on restoring the freedom of movement that airlines provide
to billions of people around the world. That means your freedom to visit
friends and family, to meet critical business partners, to secure and retain
vital contracts, and to explore our wonderful planet,” said Walsh.
“My goal is to ensure that IATA is a forceful
voice supporting the success of global air transport. We will work with
supporters and critics alike to deliver on our commitments to an
environmentally sustainable airline industry. It’s my job to make sure that
governments, which rely on the economic and social benefits our industry
generates, also understand the policies we need to deliver those benefits.”
Walsh succeeds Alexandre de Juniac.