If not for the reason of dynamism and continuity in the
industry, many would have preferred that Mr. Giovanni Bisignani,
immediate-past DG/CEO of International Air Transport Association
(IATA), continue in office, perhaps, indefinitely. This, of course,
would be the wish of airlines and airline-dependent service
providers who feel shielded by Mr. Bisignani's Bastas quickly
deployed against insensitive, unfavourable anti-airline policies or
actions. However, those whose interests appeared to be on the line
because of Mr. Bisignani's assertiveness may heave a sigh of
relief, as the combative Bisignani is now out of direct contact,
even though this thought obviously is predicated on all the wrong
reasons. They may yet face a disillusionment as the office of Mr.
Bisignani has not also gone to retirement. It has just been taken
over by another chief efficiency officer, whose capability to
deliver results on the bases of numerous challenges facing the
airline industry has been agreed to by IATA Board. He will be
working closely with Mr. Peter Hartman, President and CEO of KLM
Royal Dutch Airlines, who succeeds Mr. David Bronczek, CEO of FedEx
Express, as Chairman of the IATA Board of Governors.
Mr. Tony Tyler left a strong mark
of successful leadership at Cathay Pacific, having worked
with Cathay Pacific Airways since 1978, and serving as the
airline's Chief Executive from 2007 until his retirement in March
2011.
Mr. Tyler, though new as IATA's
leader, is not new to IATA's challenges as he served on the IATA
Board of Governors from 2007 to March 2011 and was its Chairman
from June 2009 to June 2010. The industry reposes confidence in his
ability to deliver new benefits going by IATA's and aviation
industry's unfolding challenges. "My goal is to make the world a
better place for airlines to do the important business of
connecting 2.8 billion people and 48 million tonnes of cargo."
So, as he settles in to the great
tasks before him, top of his priorities should be sustaining strong
partnership with Africa in the areas of safety and knowledge
build-up, among others. IATA, over the years, has performed well in
bringing support for Africa on its agenda. However, given new
technology-based industry benchmarks more support is essential for
Africa. And the improvement of air transport in Africa connotes
improvement in global aviation, moving forward.
Mr. Tyler may begin by interacting
closely with industry leaders in Africa to personally size things
up. The next five years appear exciting given the new style and
delivery to come.