Amman -
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has appointed Hussein Dabbas as Regional Vice
President for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), based in Amman, Jordan
with effect from 1 June 2012.
Dabbas has
served as President and CEO of Royal Jordanian Airlines since 2009. That
was the culmination of a career at the carrier that spanned over three decades
during which Dabbas held various positions in the airline’s commercial
departments. Dabbas takes over from Dr.
Majdi Sabri who will retire from IATA after the leading the association in
the MENA region since 2001.
“I welcome
Hussein to IATA. His decades of aviation experience will help IATA to deliver
its many important global programs in the fast growing MENA region. I also
thank Majdi for his many years of dedicated service to IATA and the aviation
industry of the region,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO.
"I am
excited to be joining IATA and look forward to contributing to the development
of aviation in the MENA region. Aviation is a critical component of the
region’s development and exhibits a tremendous potential for growth. In the
Middle East alone, the aviation sector currently supports 2.7 million
jobs and $129 billion in economic activity. I look forward to leading
IATA’s efforts regionally to ensure that aviation can continue be an economic
catalyst by growing safely, securely and sustainably,” said Dabbas
IATA’s
mission is to represent, lead and serve the airline industry. IATA brings
together some 240 member airlines. Flights by these airlines account for 84% of
all international scheduled air traffic.
IATA has
28 member airlines across the MENA region, including some of the fastest
growing airlines in the world. From its Amman Regional Office, IATA supports
the MENA region with access to the full range of IATA’s activities, programs
and services. This includes flagship programs such as the IATA Operational
Safety Audit, Simplifying the Business, and Checkpoint of the Future as well as
the full range of IATA’s Industry Settlement Systems.