IATA Appoints Mike Barclay As Regional Vice President Asia Pacific

Singapore - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has appointed Mike Barclay as Regional Vice President for Asia Pacific. Barclay, who takes over from Andrew Drysdale, will join IATA on 14 May 2007.

As Regional Vice President for Asia Pacific, Barclay will be responsible for Member and Government Relations, and will oversee all IATA’s initiatives in Asia Pacific. Barclay joins IATA from SilkAir where he has been CEO since 2004. Barclay brings to IATA 16 years of industry experience with the Singapore Airlines Group in both Singapore and Europe. Prior to joining the airline industry, Barclay had been a transport consultant, and had also served as a voluntary English teacher in Nepal.

“Asia-Pacific is the most exciting place for aviation today. It is fast growing, diverse and dynamic. I welcome Mike Barclay to the leadership team of IATA in the region at a critical juncture. Within this year IATA will deliver 100% e-ticketing globally. And all members must complete an IATA Operational Safety Audit. I am confident that Mike will successfully lead the IATA Asia Pacific to successfully meeting these tough deadlines. Going forward, the challenge for Mike and the team is to continue to deliver results that contribute to the successful development of air transport in this region,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

“I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to Andrew Drysdale for his contributions as IATA’s first Regional Vice President in Asia Pacific since 2002. Andrew successfully led IATA’s activities in the region through the most difficult period in aviation history—facing challenges ranging from SARS, to natural disasters and terrorism. I congratulate Andrew for his leadership and wish him all the best in his future endeavours,” said Bisignani.

The mission of IATA is to lead, represent and serve the airline industry. IATA brings together some 250 member airlines, including the world's largest. Flights by these airlines account for 94% of all international scheduled air traffic.