These are not the perfect times in the world aviation industry, with terror strikes and high costs adding pressure on airlines despite the advantage of low fuel rates. That is why it helps that Alexandre de Juniac, who takes over as the seventh Director-General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in September, is no stranger to the problems facing the industry.

The 54-year-old joined the aviation sector in 2011, when he became the Chairman and CEO of Air France, before moving as Chairman and CEO of Air France-KLM two years later. At Air France-KLM, De Juniac managed to turn around its fortunes. Despite a socialist Government in France, ADJ, as the aviation veteran likes to be called, convinced the employees on the need for downsizing.

Apart from the private sector, De Juniac has worked in the French civil service, and this understanding of the governtment machinery will help him steer IATA in its engagement with governments across the world.

The Association

IATA represents over 265 airlines or 83 per cent of the world’s air traffic. The organisation also helps formulate industry policy on critical aviation issues.

As he takes over the reins of IATA, De Juniac will have to work with stakeholders to simplify business, improve infrastructure and convince Governments to break monopolies and reduce the tax burden of member airlines.

“He is tailor made for the job. He is a diplomat who is used to dealing with political leadership. He follows in a long line of family which prides itself for being in public service,” says an associate of De Juniac and who spoke to BusinessLine in Dublin at IATA’s AGM in June. De Juniac’s public service includes stints in Nicolas Sarkozy’s (who later became the President) office in Department of Budget in 1993, and as Chief of Staff for Christine Lagarde, the Minister of Economy, Industry and Employment, in 2009.

While at Air France and KLM, his friends and relatives would often bombard him with pictures of any incidents during flights. “ADJ would look at the pictures and investigate whether what was shown was a stray incident or if it was something which needed to be fixed,” said another person.

An associate who worked with De Juniac in the French Ministry of Finance, recalls how ADJ has an eye for detail. At that time ADJ was overseeing the help desk for consumer complaints and he would “often pick up the phone to check whether the answers were being given properly.”

At the AGM, De Juniac revealed some of his plans as the Director General. “One of our most important partnerships is with governments—where I have spent part of my career. I understand how governments operate. But let me reassure you, I am far from patient with the speed at which they work,” he said while delivering his acceptance speech in Dublin.

This Correspondent was in Dublin at the invitation of the International Air Transport Association

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW