Alexandre de Juniac has been confirmed to succeed Tony Tyler as director general and chief executive officer (CEO) of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and Willie Walsh will be chairman of the board of governors.

De Juniac, who is the chairman and CEO of Air France-KLM will take over at IATA on 1 September. Walsh, who is International Airlines Group CEO and represents British Airways on the IATA board, will serve as chairman for one year. Walsh, who has been on the board since 2005, is succeeding Aeromexico CEO, Andres Conesa.

De Juniac says: “I thank my industry colleagues for their confidence in confirming me as IATA’s next Director General and CEO. Aviation is a vitally important industry—connecting economies, facilitating business, creating jobs and linking people. I have big shoes to fill as Tony Tyler has done an excellent job over the last five years.”

He adds: “My aim is to help airlines to be even more successful businesses creating even greater economic and social value. I want all of our members to have a future that is even safer, more efficient, sustainable and increasingly profitable.”

It has also been announced that Singapore Airlines chief executive officer, Goh Choon Phong is to serve as board chair-elect, to succeed Walsh when he finishes his term in 2017.

Among the other announcements were that the 73rd annual general meeting would take place in Cancun, Mexico from 4-6 June 2017, with Aeromexico the host airline.