The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that Cathay Pacific Airways CEO Tony Tyler started his one-year term as the Chairman of the IATA Board of Governors. Tyler succeeds Samer Majali, CEO of Royal Jordanian Airlines, who served as Chairman from June 2008.

Tyler is a 32-year veteran of the air transport industry who has served as Cathay Pacific CEO since 2007. He worked for Cathay Pacific and the Swire Group in many cities across the globe and has been on the airline’s leadership board since 1996. During that time he helped navigate the airline through several challenges including the Asian financial crisis, the SARS outbreak, and the post September 11-recovery. Tyler takes on the IATA Chairman duties at a difficult time as the airline industry works to weather a global economic recession, which has affected passenger and cargo demand.

IATA also announced that the Board of Governors agreed to appoint David Bronczek, President and Chief Executive of FedEx Express, to serve as Chairman following Tyler. Bronczek will bring a unique perspective from the air cargo industry when his term commences in June 2010.