Korean Air CEO Reelected to IATA Board of Governors
By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
Korean Air Chairman and CEO Cho Yang-ho has been reelected to the board of governors of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for the fifth time.
Cho was elected for the position at IATA's 64th annual general meeting held in Istanbul Monday, the company said.
As well as this year, he served terms in 1995, 2001, 2004 and 2006. The term for governors varies from one to four years. This will be his 10th year in total he has served on the board. There are only three other airline CEOs who have held positions on the board for more than 10 years, with Cho being the only Asian to do so.
Founded in 1945, IATA has 240 member airlines. The board of governors, comprised of 30 member carriers' CEOs, sets up key policies for the world's airline industry and supervises affiliate organizations.
Cho, with 30 years of experience in the industry, took part in making IATA policies at times of crisis, including the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001 and the SARS epidemic in 2003. He also helped establish Sky Team along with other carriers.
At the general meeting, Cho also recommended Incheon International Airport for the best airport award, which was given to the airport after an IATA review.