(GENEVA) The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced today that Douglas E. Lavin will join IATA as Regional Vice President for North America effective 1 May 2005. Lavin joins IATA from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) where he is the Assistant Administrator for International Aviation.

Lavin will head IATA's presence in Washington and take overall responsibility for following the legislative and regulatory process on issues ranging from safety, security, facilitation and environment to consumer protection, economic regulation, charges and taxes.

"Decisions in Washington impact the entire industry. I am confident that Doug will significantly raise the profile of international aviation among Washington's decision makers. Industry and government share many common interests including the promotion of safety, security and a viable air transport industry that is at the heart of modern economies. Our tremendous progress on safety - 2004 was our safest year ever - is the result of approaching this common goal with effective global standardization and harmonization. Doug will promote this principle as the way forward on the many issues that challenge our industry," said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's Director General and CEO.

Notes for Editors

  • Lavin replaces David O'Connor, Regional Director for North America, who will leave IATA in May 2005.
  • Prior to the FAA, Lavin's career includes work in both public and private sector. Immediately prior to the FAA, Lavin was Vice President of Portfolio Management for American Express. Previous to that he was Director of Corporate Strategy and New Business Development at AT&T. Lavin's public service includes several positions at the U.S. Department of Commerce during the first Bush Administration. Prior to his service at Commerce, Lavin practiced law in Washington, D.C. where he focused on international trade and technology issues. Lavin is a graduate of the Boston University School of Law, where he was a member of the law review, and the University of New Hampshire.
  • IATA leads, represents and serves the airline industry. It's 270 member airlines comprise 94% of scheduled international air traffic.
  • 2004 was the safest year ever for air transport. More details can be found here.