Arni Gunnarsson, managing director, Air Iceland and Bart Matusewicz, VP
operations & maintenance, Eurolot, have been elected to the ERA board,
further strengthening the association’s expertise and reach.
Gunnarsson and Matusewicz have joined the ERA board at the
start of a busy year which will have a strong focus on communicating and
defending the association’s members’ concerns to Europe ’s
regulatory and policy decision makers.
An experienced lobbyist on behalf of Air Iceland , Gunnarsson’s has a clear understanding
of the issues that face some of Europe ’s more
remote regional airlines. Air Iceland
has to operate under harsh environmental conditions, a challenge not always
recognised or understood by European regulators. Gunnarsson says that he aims
to focus on: “Assessing current and new regulation with the aim of improving Europe ’s regulatory frame work.”
Matusewicz has over 15 years’ experience in the travel
industry and is firm in his belief that European regional airlines have a
critical role to play in connecting businesses within Europe .
As a board member Matusewicz plans to focus on ensuring that ERA members can
access more practical help both inside the organisation and within Europe .
“I also believe the future ERA board must help regional
airlines assess their business strategies and search for more profitable models
as market consolidation increases and big players from the Middle
East enter our market,” explains Matusewicz.
Simon McNamara, Director General ERA, adds: “The appointment
of Árni Gunnarsson and Bart Matusewicz to the board increases the range and
experience of an already strong, influential and effective board. I am looking forward to working with them
and us
