Page 79 - World Airnews Magazine May 2020 Edition

NEWS DIGITAL

SEBASTIAN MIKOSZ TO JOIN IATA

experience in the public and private sectors government stakeholders have high
that will be critical in advancing the global expectations for IATA to play a critical role
The International Air Transport aviation industry’s advocacy agenda. At this in driving the recovery. From my experi-
Association has announced that Sebastian time of unprecedented crisis, the airline ence as an airline CEO and as a member of
Mikosz will join IATA as the industry needs a strong voice. We must the IATA board of governors, I know how
association’s senior vice important IATA
president for member and is to the global
external relations, effective 1 connectivity that
we usually take for
June 2020. granted. Today’s
Most recently, Mikosz was challenges could
group managing director and not be greater. And,
CEO of Kenya Airways during in joining IATA, I
which time he served on the am determined to
IATA board of governors. contribute to the
Prior to that he was the efficient restoration
CEO of LOT Polish Airlines and of the links between
the CEO of Poland’s largest people, nations
online travel agency, the and economies
eSKY Group. that only aviation
At IATA, Mikosz will can provide,” said
lead the organisation’s Mikosz.
global advocacy activities A Polish national,
and aero-political policy Mikosz is a graduate
development, along with of the Institute of
managing the association’s Political Studies
strategic relationships. in France with a
This includes IATA’s 290 Master’s degree in
member airlines as well as governments, restore the confidence of governments and economics and finance.
international organizations and stakehold- travellers so that aviation can re-start, lead In addition to his airline experience,
ers in both the private and public sectors. an economic recovery, and connect the Milosz’s career includes the positions of
Mikosz will report to the director general world. Sebastian’s experience in launching vice president at the Polish information and
and CEO and join the association’s strategic and turning-around companies will be foreign investment agency, senior advisor
leadership team. He replaces Paul Steele, invaluable in helping IATA meet the expec- at Société Générale corporate investment
who retired from IATA in October 2019. tations of our members, governments and bank, managing director of the French
Brian Pearce, IATA’s chief economist has stakeholders,” said Alexandre de Juniac, chamber of commerce and industry in
been handling the duties of this post on an IATA director general and CEO. Poland and founder of the online brokerage
ad interim basis since then. “I can’t wait to get started at IATA. house Fast Trade. Mikosz speaks Polish,
“Sebastian brings with him a wealth of Aviation is in crisis and all industry and English, French and Russian. Q

NEWS DIGITAL

NO DELAYS FOR YEAGER AIRPORT

By Jake Flatley

meeting. Charleston area in a long time. “We just have to work out
Officials expect the (US) $4.5 We continue to be excited any issues as far as the value
Construction projects and million construction contract about this,” Marshall University of the buildings that Marshall
operations are moving along to head out to bid by mid-May, President Jerome Gilbert told will be paying for construction
at Yeager Airport despite the nearly one year before the the airport’s board recently. at the airport so that it’s
freefall in passengers and school is expected to open. “It’s going to be one of the depreciated appropriately over
revenue due to the COVID-19 “There have been no hold best flight schools on the East time and any buyback done
pandemic. ups and we are moving forward Coast, if not the country.” by the airport would be fair to
The largest project in the on schedule,” Yeager Airport Gilbert told the board that both parties,” Keller said.
coming year is the aviation Director Nick Keller said. school officials continue to Some courses will be taken
school for Marshall University. Yeager has already built a GA negotiate the purchase of the at the airport and some at
The lease of land and contract roadway that will lead the way school’s first two aircraft. Marshall’s South Charleston
to design the first two buildings to the school. The planes expected to be campus for any students in-
of the Marshall University Bill “This is one of the most used for the aviation school are terested in airline dispatching,
Noe Flight School was discussed exciting adventures to take two Cirrus SR-20 airplanes and operations, airline managing
recently at the airport’s board place for Marshall and the a single-engine used plane. and airport operations. Q

World Airnews | May Extra 2020
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