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  • Tony Tyler's First AGM: Old Format, New Style
    Posted by Jens Flottau 2:53 AM on Jun 08, 2012

    For many years, the IATA annual general assembly has not only been the most important annual airline industry gathering, it also featured entertaining speeches by former CEO Giovanni Bisignani supported by sometimes (too) drastic powerpoint graphics that outlined how mistreated airlines are by their suppliers and governments. If you’d taken everything Giovanni had to say seriously, you would have been surprised that airlines were actually still flying.

    This year’s event, to be held in Beijing/China, on Monday and Tuesday, will be the first AGM for IATA’s new CEO Tony Tyler. When he was elected in Singapore a year ago, he gave just a short, but emotional speech about the value and the good that aviation can bring to the world and he immediately gained his audience’s sympathy. His style is different, not as loud as Giovanni. And Tyler tries to embrace suppliers in the supply chain. Tyler is well liked and respected among his peers and his background as the former Cathay Pacific CEO gives him easier access in Asia.

    Among his foremost targets has to be reconciliation between members. There have been underlying conflicts between those that have historically had control of the organization (Europe, U.S.) and those that are emerging (Middle East, Asia-Pacific). Last year’s tumultuous assembly in which Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker stood up against the old elite was impressive testimony. But that fight is not over yet. The dispute between European airlines and the Middle Eastern carriers over alleged or real subsidies is continuing and needs to be resolved. IATA also has a role to play to reconcile the different interests in the ongoing debate over the European emissions trading scheme (EU ETS) that is likely to culminate early next year.

    A good mediator is needed: someone like Tony Tyler.

    Tags: tw99, IATA

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