VIDEO: Aviation Week Names Tim Clark 2013 Person of the Year

Tim Clark shored up the Airbus A380 and helped launch the Boeing 777X. And that was just in one day.

To say the Emirates president has significant influence with airframers is an understatement. Emirates is the largest operator of Boeing 777s -- and a launch customer for the new 777X that was unveiled at the Dubai air show last November.

Clark is also the biggest fan of the A380, with Emirates accounting for half of the Airbus A380 order book. 

He has serious buying power and he's played a large role in reshaping the competitive landscape in the long-haul airline market.

That's why Aviation Week has named Tim Clark 2013's Person of the Year.

Since 2006 Aviation Week's Person of the Year has recognised the impact individuals have on the aerospace, defense and aviation industries - for better or worse. 2013 was a tumultuous year across every sector of the industry and our editors had some tough choices when fielding a selection of candidates. Read our Jan. 13, 2014 cover story to find out why we selected Clark, and see the runners up. 

Prior recipients of the Person of the Year distinction include German Chancellor Angela Merkel; Louis R. Chenevert, chairman and CEO of United Technologies Corp., United Continental CEO Jeff Smisek; the Space Entrepreneur; former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates; the father of China's space program, Tsien Hsue-shen; Alan Mulally, previously of Boeing Co; and Pier Francesco Guarguaglini, previously of Finmeccanica.