SIA's chief new IATA chairman

Paris, June 6 (UNI) The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced today that Singapore Airlines' chief executive officer Chew Choon Seng began his one-year term as chairman of its board of governors for 2006-07 with the close of 62nd annual general meeting here today.

He succeeds chairman of Air Canada Robert Milton.

''Air transport continues to face many challenges,'' said Mr Chew.

''I look forward to the coming year as an opportunity to work with the IATA team to push for much needed change across the industry.

IATA's director gneral and CEO Giovanni Bisignani said, ''I am confident that Mr Chew will bring a new perspective to the role of chairman while continuing the drive for change across the industry.

The agenda is full but I am confident that together we will continue to deliver the important results that the industry needs.'' Nearly 900 delegates had gathered for the IATA's AGM and World Air Transport Summit (WATS) organised to discuss the industry's most important issues, including safety, efficiency, liberalisation, fuel efficiency and the environment.

The next WATS will be held in Vancouver from June 3 to 5 next year.

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