IATA at Beijing

Networking may be the ‘buzz’ word but in truth IATA (International Air Transport Association) has been hosting what is an annual chatting session of the world’s airlines for 68 years.

With the 2012 event, held in Beijing, it was Qatar Airways’ Chief Executive Officer, Akbar Al Baker, who stole the show for the second year running, but this time around in a more convivial way.  At Singapore in 2011 he was vocal about the whole structure of the organisation.  With the carriers of the Gulf region now dominating long-haul international travel, IATA has now revamped its 10-member Board to include the Middle East.  Mr Al Baker was duly elected.

For Tony Tyler, Director General, and formerly of Cathy Pacific, it was his first AGM.  “The old guard at IATA has gone and I am delighted to have been voted onto the Board of Governors and assure IATA members, both in my region and around the world that I will do my utmost to serve in the interests of the airline industry as a whole”, said Mr Al Baker. “I am delighted that IATA, now under a new leadership, has understood my concerns and acted accordingly to reflect the demands for greater transparency and improved membership representation on the IATA board”. www.iata.org

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