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The International Air Transport Association (IATA) confirmed on Tuesday that its chief executive officer (CEO) and director general, Alexandre de Juniac will be stepping down in a few months.
De Juniac, who has been with IATA for just a little over four years, had already made known his intention to quit his post several months ago, the transport body said in a statement.
“I did not come to this decision lightly. It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve the global air transport industry – what I call the business of freedom – as the head of IATA,” de Juniac said.
The IATA Board of Governors is expected to recommend today, November 24, the appointment of Willie Walsh, former CEO of International Airlines Group (IAG) to take over de Juniac’s role from April 1, 2021.
The current CEO will be leaving his post effective March 31, 2021.
De Juniac’s resignation comes at a time when the air travel industry is struggling to cope with the massive decline in passenger traffic due to the coronavirus pandemic.
De Juniac joined IATA in September 2016 from Air France-KLM where he was chairman and CEO.
De Juniac will be succeeded by airline industry veteran Willie Walsh, the former CEO of IAG.
“Alexandre has led our industry in extraordinary times. Under his leadership, IATA has become a stronger and an even more relevant organization. I am joined by all the members of the Board of Governors in thanking him for his service and wishing him well in his next endeavors. I am also pleased that we are able to present a very capable candidate… to succeed Alexandre in this important role. I am convinced that Willie will be a great Director General for IATA,” said Carsten Spohr, Chair of the IATA Board of Governors and CEO of Lufthansa.
(Writing by Cleofe Maceda; editing by Seban Scaria)
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