SINGAPORE, June 7, 2011 (AFP) - Former Cathay Pacific chief executive Tony Tyler will head the International Air Transport Association (IATA) from next month, the global airline body said Tuesday.
Tyler's appointment will take effect in July when Giovanni Bisignani steps down as director-general and chief executive, IATA said after the conclusion of its annual general meeting in Singapore.
Bisignani said he could not think of anyone "more capable, more passionate" than Tyler.
"I'm absolutely convinced that Tony has the right skill, expertise to hit all the targets and the many, many challenges that the industry and IATA will have to meet," he said.
Tyler left Hong Kong-based Cathay in March.
Geneva-based IATA represents some 230 carriers that account for more than 90 percent of scheduled air traffic worldwide but does not include many of the big budget airlines.
