Aviation

Albakri Appointed IATA Senior VP

Ali Albakri
Ali Albakri

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced that Muhammad Albakri, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East (AME) will be appointed Senior Vice President for Customer, Financial and Digital Services (CFDS), based in Geneva.

The appointment becomes effective on March 1, 2021. At that time Aleks Popovich, who currently holds the position, will retire.
“Over the past 16 years Aleks has driven some of the most critical elements of IATA’s operations, while leading major transformational projects for the airline industry.

“This includes IATA’s financial settlement products, which securely processed $457 billion of industry money in 2019, during a time of tremendous innovation in financial technology.

“And he delivered critical flagship programs that continue to change the industry—introducing cost-effective self-service options under the banner of Simplifying the Business, enabling airline retailing with New Distribution Capability (NDC), and streamlining decades of legacy processes with ONE Order.

“Aleks leaves behind a great team with a clear focus on customer service that will continue to drive critical changes under the capable leadership of Muhammad,” said IATA’s Director General and CEO, Alexandre de Juniac.

Albakri joined IATA in January 2017 after more than a decade in the leadership team of Saudi Arabian Airlines where he successfully fulfilled the roles of Chief Financial Officer, Chief Information Officer and Senior Vice President for Transformation.

At IATA, Albakri has been an agent of change, transforming the Africa and Middle East regional team to better serve member needs and pioneering the work of IATA’s Digital Transformation Advisory Council.

“Muhammad is well prepared to guide the development of IATA’s commercial offerings, settlement services and digital leadership. In normal times, these are critical functions—even more so in the middle of an industry crisis,” said de Juniac.

Avatar

Aviation Media

About Author

Aviation Media Africa is a media platform that publishes the latest news and insights in aviation, maritime, and transport across Africa.

You may also like

Aviation

Fadugba: Nigeria has Unstable Regulatory Environment

  • August 1, 2015
The CEO of African Aviation Services Limited and former Director General, African Airlines Association (AFRAA), Nick Fadugba said that for
Aviation

Interview with Chris Aligbe :FG Should Grant Aviation Infant Industry Status

  • October 1, 2015
Industry consultant and CEO of Belujane Konsult, Chris Aligbe appraises the kind of minister the aviation industry needs as well