News
IATA Promotes
Popovich to SVP
Geneva - The International Air Transport Association
(IATA) today announced the appointment of Aleks Popovich as Senior Vice
President for Industry Distribution and Financial Services, effective 1
October 2009. Popovich will replace Tom Murphy, who will retire from IATA
after 30 years of service following a short transition period.
Popovich joined IATA in April 2005 as Global Head of
Cargo. Prior to IATA, he was at British Airways where he headed both
passenger and cargo network and revenue management functions. At IATA,
Popovich revitalized the organization’s approach to cargo. He guided the
IATA e-freight initiative to enable US$4.9 billion of cost savings in the
cargo supply chain by converting paper-based processes to electronic
documentation. By the end of 2010, e-freight will be live at 44 locations
in 27 countries. Combined these will give the industry the capability to
handle 81% of international cargo with e-freight.
In his new role, Popovich will oversee all of IATA’s
passenger and cargo activities, including IATA’s flagship Simplifying the
Business program. This includes responsibility for IATA’s financial
systems which combined handle US$350 billion in annual settlements. Until
a successor is found, Aleks will also continue in his role as Global Head
of Cargo.
“I thank Tom Murphy for his many years of dedicated
service. With his efforts, IATA’s financial systems have become the
financial backbone of the industry. And as the father of 100% e-ticketing
he has contributed to historic industry change,” said Giovanni Bisignani,
IATA’s Director General and CEO.
“In his new role, Aleks will play a key role among IATA’s senior
management. The industry is in crisis and the accuracy of our financial
systems is critical. I am confident that Aleks’ experience in helping
guide British Airways in the post September 11 period will be invaluable
to us in this difficult period,” said Bisignani.
“I look forward to the challenges of my new role. In this
industry crisis, conserving cash and cutting costs are critical. My
priorities are to continue ensuring the integrity of IATA’s global
financial systems via quality processes, and also to cut industry costs
by modernizing end to end air transport processes through Simplifying the
Business,” said Popovich.
-IATA-
Contact:
Anthony Concil
Director Corporate Communications
Tel: + 41 22 770 2967
Email: corpcomms@iata.org
Notes for Editors:
- IATA
(International Air Transport Association) represents some 230
airlines comprising 93% of scheduled international air traffic.
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