The new director-general and CEO of the International Air Transport Association (Iata), Alexandre de Juniac, took up his office on September 1. He has replaced Tony Tyler, who retired on August 31, having headed the organisation since 2011. De Juniac becomes the seventh person to head the association.

“The numbers are clear. Air transport supports an impressive 63-million jobs and some $2.7-trillion in economic activity,” highlighted De Juniac. “But that’s only a part of the value that aviation creates. Our industry is in the business of freedom. We help people to explore the planet, to do business globally, to bridge cultures with friendships and understanding, and to enjoy better lives through the prosperity that connectivity creates. Aviation changes our world for the better.

“Iata touches almost every aspect of the air transport industry and interacts with a wide range of stakeholders – especially governments,” he pointed out. “I will call on all my experience to ensure that Iata meets the needs of our members and plays a leading role in responding to the challenges that the industry faces, In particular, the accelerating pace of change in the world means that we must be able to move even more rapidly – as an industry and as an association. Iata’s mission is to represent, lead and serve the airline industry with global standards. For me, that means we must use change as a catalyst for innovation to please customers and contribute positively to the business of our members.

“I am excited to be taking on this great responsibility. Iata plays a critical role in facilitating safe, efficient and sustainable global air transport,” he affirmed. “With the guidance of our board and the support of our membership, my aim is to ensure that Iata continues to deliver the value that our members and partners rely upon . . . [A]s the industry’s global advocate, my mission is to rally our partners to ensure that nothing impedes the business of freedom.” De Juniac praised the contribution made by his predecessor. “Tony Tyler has raised the bar through his achievements over the last five years.”

De Juniac previously served on the Iata board of governors, from 2013 to this year. He has wide experience in the aerospace sector, including, but not restricted to, the airline industry, as well as government. From 1988 to 1993, he was an official working in France’s State Council (Conseil d’Etat), before moving to the Department of the Budget, where he served from 1993 to 1995. In 1995, he moved to industry, joining defence and electronics (including avionics) company Thomson-CSF which, in 2000, renamed itself the Thales group. He stayed with Thales until 2009, when he returned to government to become the Chief of Staff to France’s then Economy, Industry and Employment Minister, Christine Lagarde – presently MD of the International Monetary Fund. In 2011, he returned to industry to become chairperson and CEO of Air France and then, in 2013, to hold the same positions in the Air France-KLM group, standing down this year. He thus has experience in government, with aerospace equipment manufacturers and with operators.

In one of his last major actions as head of Iata, on August 15, Tyler called for the proper implementation of international regulations covering the shipment of lithium batteries. This was in a letter to government Ministers and civil aviation heads in the world’s main lithium battery manufacturing and exporting countries. The letter was a joint initiative between Iata, the US Rechargeable Battery Association, the European Advanced Rechargeable and Lithium Battery Association, the Global Shippers Forum and the International Air Cargo Association.

“Safety is aviation’s top priority,” highlighted Tyler. “Airlines, shippers and manufacturers have worked hard to establish rules that ensure lithium batteries can be carried safely. But the rules are only effective if they are enforced and backed up by significant penalties. Government authorities must step up and take responsibility for regulating rogue producers and exporters. And flagrant abuses of dangerous goods shipping regulations, which place aircraft and passenger safety at risk, must be criminalised.”

Iata’s membership comprises about 265 airlines. These are responsible for 83% of global air traffic.