Category: People

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that Alexandre de Juniac, Director General and CEO will step down from his role at the Association effective March 31, 2021. De Juniac made known his intention to step down from the Association several months ago which enabled a search process to facilitate a smooth leadership transition. The IATA Board of Governors will recommend to the 76th IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) on November 24, 2020 the appointment of Willie Walsh, former CEO of International Airlines Group (IAG) to become IATA’s eighth Director General from April 1, 2021.

Vaclav Rehor, the chief executive officer of Prague Airport, has been elected a member of the Board of Directors of the Airports Council International Europe (ACI Europe), a worldwide airport association. During his three-year term, he will represent the region of Eastern Europe and thus gain the opportunity to positively influence the shape of air transport in Europe. The election of new members to the Board of Directors, the supreme body of ACI Europe, took place on November 17, 2020. In total, ACI Europe associates over 500 airports and heliports from 45 European countries.

Dieter Vranckx, who joined Brussels Airlines in May 2018 as CFO and Deputy CEO, and who has been acting as CEO of Brussels Airlines since January 2020, will move within the Lufthansa Group to head the Zurich-based Lufthansa Group network airline SWISS, as of January 1, 2021. Peter Gerber will succeed Vranckx as CEO of Brussels Airlines. Subject to the pending resolution of the Board of Directors of SN Airholding, Gerber, who is currently Chairman of the Executive Board of Lufthansa Cargo AG, will move to Belgium as of March 1, 2021. Next to heading the Belgian airline, he will Read more

The U.k.’s East Midlands-based global engine and aircraft consultants, TGIS Aviation Management (TGIS), continues to grow its aviation expertise with the addition of Paul Charles who joins TGIS as Head of Powerplant. Having had 31 years working in the aviation industry, Charles’ particular expertise lies in engine asset management, engine overhaul and on wing support services. New starter, Charles commented, “I’m pleased to have joined the team at TGIS Aviation. We’ve previously collaborated on a number of occasions, so being a permanent member of the business feels like organic growth for all parties.”

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Board of Directors has approved the search committee’s recommendation to nominate Boaz Levy as IAI’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Levy succeeds Maj. General (ret.) Nimrod Sheffer, who stepped down as CEO on October 31, 2020. The nomination will be submitted to the Minister of Defense, Lt. General (ret) Benjamin Gantz, and the Minister for Cyber & National Digital Matters, Dudi Amsalem who supervising the Israel Government Companies Authority.

GA Telesis (GAT) has appointed Katy Zhao as Director of Business Development China with the Engine Strategy Group. Zhao is one of several industry pros recently to join the Engine Strategy Group as the scope of Turbine Vision 2020 grows. Zhao gained wide-ranging experience in the aviation jet engine business through her 20 years in China with General Electric Aviation and CFM International. She began her career as a GE Field Service Representative and later moved to the CFM leasing division. Her most recent positions included sales and services responsibility with the airlines and MROs in the South China region.

Aviation service provider ACC Aviation has appointed Mike Jennings to the role of Vice President, Commercial Sales. The organization, which established its North American subsidiary at the end of 2018, has seen substantial growth despite the challenges faced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and has brought Jennings on board to further accelerate its development in this region and across the Americas. Jennings joins ACC following successful roles as Director of Charter Operations for Eastern Air Lines and, most recently, Chapman Freeborn. Throughout his career, he has managed charter programs for high-profile clients, including meetings and incentives, professional and Read more

Alaska Air Group’s board of directors has released that Brad Tilden will retire as Chief Executive Officer on March 31, 2021, and Ben Minicucci, president of Alaska Airlines and a member of the Alaska Air Group board, will succeed him. Tilden will continue to serve as Alaska’s board chair. “This announcement is the culmination of a multi-year succession planning process,” said Patricia Bedient, Alaska Air Group lead independent director. “The board has complete confidence in Ben’s ability to lead Alaska to great success in the years to come. We are also grateful to Brad for his outstanding leadership during his Read more