BATA chairman to step down
The British Air Transport Association (BATA) chairman, Barry Humphreys, will step down at the end of April.
Humphreys has been in the role for six years, serving two terms.
BATA is now looking to recruit a new chairman for a redefined role of around 12 days a year and has invited anyone interested to contact its chief executive Nathan Stower.
Stower said: "Barry has been an active and engaged chairman for BATA and a strong and tenacious advocate for UK airlines over the last six years.
"I am personally grateful for the guidance and challenge he has offered to me since I joined in August.
"BATA members will miss his input, particularly on regulatory matters, where his experience and expertise has made a real difference.
"He will be a hard act to follow, but I look forward working with a new chairman who will oversee the next stage of BATA’s development."
Humphreys added: "I will be sorry to leave BATA. Being chairman has been a fascinating and enjoyable, and challenging, experience, but six years is probably enough for anyone.
"As long as aviation remains so political and regulated there will always be a need for a trade body to bring airlines together to fight common causes.
"Aviation is a highly competitive business and marshalling a group of airlines is not the easiest job in the world, but I think we can feel proud of what BATA has achieved with the help of a committed staff, and far from unlimited resources.
"There is, of course, more to do and I wish the organisation and especially my successor all the best."
Although giving up the chairman role, he will remain active in the aviation industry with his academic, charity and consultancy work.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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