Less than a month after announcing the division of leadership duties within Australia’s flag carrier, Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce has taken on new responsibilities as the newly appointed chairman of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Stepping into the role effective immediately and replacing outgoing chairman and current KLM chief executive Peter Hartman, Mr Joyce will lead the Association for up to one year with his term concluding at IATA’s sixty-ninth General Meeting in Cape Town next year.

The Aviation Group’s chief executive Tony Tyler said Mr Joyce was “the right person” to lead the Association’s Board with up to 24 years experience in the airline industry.

“IATA plays a critical role in the industry and I am honored to take on the role of leading its Board of Governors,” Mr Joyce said. 

“The top priorities, as always, will be safety, security, and sustainability.

“On top of that, I want to see IATA continue to deliver value to its members by being a strong advocate for the industry.”

As part of his term with the company, Mr Tyler said Mr Joyce would be involved with the Association’s plans to develop the foundation standards for new distribution capability as well as progressing work on the Checkpoint of the Future.

Appointed to replace Mr Joyce in the chairman post from June next year is Delta Air Lines chief executive Richard Anderson.