Former International Airlines Group CEO Willie Walsh will succeed Alexandre de Juniac as director general and CEO of the International Air Transport Association next year, IATA has announced.
De Juniac, who will step down from his position on 31 March, indicated to IATA's board of governors several months ago that he was ready to leave his role, according to IATA. He has led the organisation since September 2016, following his departure as chairman and CEO of Air France-KLM.
"IATA has set the course to restore air connectivity amid the pandemic with systematic pre-departure testing. We are well into preparations to fulfil critical vaccine distribution needs," de Juniac said in a statement. "The building blocks for an industry recovery are in place, and now is the right time to hand over IATA's leadership for the long process of recovery."
Walsh, who was a key figure in the creation of IAG and stepped down as its CEO earlier this year, will be recommended by IATA's board of governors for approval as the new director general and CEO at the organisation's annual general meeting on Tuesday.
IATA has today announced a partnership with IAG to launch a digital health passport.