Ex-British Airways CEO poised to lead airline trade group

A resolution proposing Willie Walsh’s appointment will be presented to the International Air Transport Association's annual meeting this week. AP Photo

The chief executive of the main trade group for global airlines will step down next March, and organisation officials are supporting a former British Airways boss to replace him.

The change in leadership comes as airlines confront their worst financial crisis ever because of the coronavirus pandemic, which has devastated air travel.

The International Air Transport Association said on Monday that Alexandre de Juniac will leave as chief executive and director general on March 31 after leading the organisation since 2016. The group said Mr de Juniac, 58, a former Air France-KLM chairman and chief executive, indicated several months ago that he planned to step down.

The trade group said its board of governors will recommend that his replacement be Willie Walsh, a former chief executive of British Airways and its parent, the International Airlines Group. A resolution proposing Mr Walsh’s appointment will be presented to the transport group’s annual meeting this week.

Mr Walsh, 59, planned to retire as IAG’s chief last March but delayed his departure until September because of the pandemic.

Since the virus outbreak, Mr de Juniac has called for government aid for airlines and Covid-19 testing of all international travellers as a way to lift travel restrictions.