IATA’s new North Asia head returns to Beijing

by Payload Asia

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has elected Dr. Xie Xingquan as its Regional Vice President for North Asia effective 15 June.

Xingquan, who has been with IATA since 2011, was most recently the association’s Assistant Director, Legal, based in Montreal. He will now relocate to the regional office in Beijing to oversee the group’s activities across North Asia, where it has 40 member airlines. 

Dr. Xie has held various appointments in China, Canada and Singapore throughout his 24-year career in the aviation industry, including:

  • Director of the Policy, Law and Regulation Division at the R&D Centre of the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China or CAAC (1998-2008)
  • Assistant Legal Officer at ICAO based in Montreal (2008-2010)
  • Director General of the Policy, Law & Regulations Institute at the China Academy of Civil Aviation Science & Technology (2010-2011)

Xingquan will lead the association’s efforts across North Asia, including on safety, sustainability, and the recovery of international travel from COVID-19. He said his priorities would be to engage with airline members, governments and industry partners in China and the region to safely re-open borders, catch up with the rest of the world, and revive the travel and tourism sector.

“I started my aviation career in Beijing and having held roles in different locations including Montreal and Singapore, I am excited to be back in Beijing again to contribute to the development of the aviation industry,” said Dr. Xie.