Simon Ralph
Star Alliance has appointed aviation industry veteran Simon Ralph as its managing director for the UK.
The Singapore-based airline alliance said that Ralph would be based at London Heathrow Airport where he will “work proactively” for Star Alliance’s “collective interests”, including initiatives to boost operational performance for its members.
Ralph, who has been in the aviation industry for more than 25 years, joins Star Alliance from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), where he served as director of external relations.
Theo Panagiotoulias, Star Alliance’s CEO, said: “Simon’s aviation experience positions him well to manage the opportunities we have in the UK. Working with senior executives from our member airlines, he will be focused on delivering the best for our customers and carriers, as well as protecting our interests at London Heathrow.”
Star Alliance has 22 carriers based at Heathrow’s Terminal 2, also known as The Queen’s Terminal, accounting for around 20 per cent of Heathrow’s total seat capacity and 13 million passengers per year.