Iata has announced that Alexandre de Juniac, Director General and CEO will step down from his role at the association effective March 21, 2021.
De Juniac made his intention to step down known several months ago, which enabled a process to facilitate a smooth leadership transition. The Board of Governors will recommend to the 76th Iata AGM on November 24 the appointment of Willie Walsh, former CEO of International Airlines Group, as Iata’s eighth Director General.
“I did not come to this decision lightly. It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve the global air transport industry – what I call the business of freedom – as the head of Iata. Over the last years Iata has strategically increased its relevance as the voice of the global airline industry. This has been evident in the COVID-19 crisis. The building blocks for an industry recovery are in place. And now is the right time to hand over leadership for the long process of recovery,” said De Juniac.
New GM of Jenman African Safaris
Jenman African Safaris has promoted Johan Barnard to GM.
The decision to promote Barnard was made last year but the impact of COVID was felt before the official announcement was made.
“We had each other’s backs throughout the last eight months and I will forever be grateful for that. I know how hard it must have been to get into this role, take it on with zero celebration for this achievement and only see uncertainty ahead of you. Only a very few people could handle a situation like this,” said CEO Katja Quasdorf.
She added that the promotion had been particularly difficult for Barnard as, along with dealing with the circumstances of COVID, the new GM had to take a salary cut. “[He’s] potentially the first person to ever take a promotion and get a salary cut instead. It didn’t matter to him whether it was public knowledge – he understood the importance of his role and where we needed him. It’s been truly significant having him in our ExCo team.”
“I’ve worked hard to become GM and was very honoured and grateful to get the promotion at Jenman. Then COVID came along and it felt like everything had been taken away in a flash. However, this taught me that life can throw you major curveballs along the way and you must be grateful for what you have, and not take anything for granted,” said Barnard.
