Hussein Dabbas appointed IATA RVP for MENA

Dabbas (above) 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.

Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO said: “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.”

Dabbas said: "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.”

Industry analyst Saj Ahmad said: ""Dabbas' appointment at IATA leaves behind a huge void for Royal Jordanian Airlines, particularly as the carrier enacts a financial plan to strengthen its business. For IATA, they've snared a seasoned executive whose intimate knowledge of the Middle East region puts him at forefront of his peers - and with the continued strength, growth and expansion within the GCC region, Dabbas' role will be a busy one, especially as the region will be key not just for new airplane deliveries and airport expansion, but it continues to evolve as the true global nexus for air travel."
 

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. This includes flagship programs such as the IATA Operational Safety Audit, Simplifying the Business, and Checkpoint of the Future as well as the full range of IATA’s Industry Settlement Systems.