Bisignani to retire at next year's IATA AGM in Egypt

IATA's figurehead leader Giovanni Bisignani is to step down as Director General at next year's AGM which is to be held in Egypt.

Bisignani has served as the association’s director general for eight years during an almost constant state of industry crisis,“It has been my pleasure to lead your association,” he told delegates at this year's AGM in Berlin.

IATA has selected a leading executive search firm to seek a successor to Bisignani. In the meantime, the IATA chief vowed to “continue to shout proudly and politely to make change happen” as he leads the association over the coming year.

EgyptAir is to be the host for the 2011 annual general meeting which will be held in Cairo next June.

The holding company chairman Hussain Massoud said the airline will be proud to welcome the industry leaders from around the world.