Amman, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has appointed Hussein Dabbas as Regional Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), based in Amman, Jordan with effect from 1 June 2012.

Dabbas has served as President and CEO of Royal Jordanian Airlines since 2009. That was the culmination of a career at the carrier that spanned over three decades during which Dabbas held various positions in the airline’s commercial departments. Dabbas takes over from Dr. Majdi Sabri who will retire from IATA after the leading the association in the MENA region since 2001.

“I welcome Hussein to IATA. His decades of aviation experience will help IATA to deliver its many important global programs in the fast growing MENA region. I also thank Majdi for his many years of dedicated service to IATA and the aviation industry of the region,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

"I am excited to be joining IATA and look forward to contributing to the development of aviation in the MENA region. Aviation is a critical component of the region’s development and exhibits a tremendous potential for growth. In the Middle East alone, the aviation sector currently supports 2.7 million jobs and $129 billion in economic activity. I look forward to leading IATA’s efforts regionally to ensure that aviation can continue be an economic catalyst by growing safely, securely and sustainably,” said Dabbas

IATA’s mission is to represent, lead and serve the airline industry. IATA brings together some 240 member airlines. Flights by these airlines account for 84% of all international scheduled air traffic. IATA has 28 member airlines across the MENA region, including some of the fastest growing airlines in the world. From its Amman Regional Office, IATA supports the MENA region with access to the full range of IATA’s activities, programs and services.

 Source: IATA