KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 5): Malaysian Aviation Group (MAG) group chief executive officer and Malaysia Airlines Bhd managing director Captain Izham Ismail has been appointed to the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) board of governors (BoG).

In a statement on Tuesday, MAG said Izham was appointed to the BoG during the IATA’s 77th annual general meeting held in Boston.

It added that Izham will serve a three-year term until 2024, where in his role as a member of the BoG, he will participate in providing policy directives and guidance to IATA industry committees and to their subsidiary bodies.

Commenting on his appointment, Izham said as airlines globally are still reeling from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, suffering huge losses which are expected to continue until 2022, he looks forward to working closely with the IATA BoG towards charting a path of recovery, besides also driving further growth and development of the aviation industry across the globe.

MAG group chairman Tan Sri Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin said the appointment recognises Izham’s leadership, vast knowledge and experience.

“His vast knowledge and experience encompass all aspects of the airline business — commercial or operational, and I am proud that an international body such as the IATA values the contribution that Izham will bring to the BoG.

“On behalf of the board of directors and employees of MAG, I congratulate Izham and wish him all the best in representing not just Malaysians but all airlines in the Asia-Pacific region,” he added.

MAG said Izham is also actively involved in other industry-related bodies such as the oneworld Alliance Governing Board, executive committee of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines and board of directors of Tourism Malaysia.