Cathay Pacific CEO Tony Tyler will leave the airline on March 31 next year to take on the position of director general and CEO of IATA, replacing the retiring Giovanni Bisignani.
Tyler’s replacement as CEO will be the airline’s current chief operating officer, John Slosar.
“Our congratulations go to Tony on being recommended by the IATA board for this very important position,” said Cathay Pacific chairman Christopher Pratt. “IATA is fortunate to be gaining a man of his experience and calibre. Tony has worked for Cathay Pacific for 32 years, has been a director for 14 years and chief executive for the last three, when he steered the airline through a very volatile period. He is a well known and respected figure in global aviation and a passionate advocate for the industry.”
John Slosar, aged 54, joined the Swire group in 1980 and has worked with the group’s aviation division in Hong Kong, the US and Thailand. He became managing director of Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Co in 1996, MD of Swire Pacific’s Beverages Division in July 1998, and chief operating officer of Cathay Pacific in July 2007.
