Former Kenya Airways (KQ) Chief Executive Officer Sebastian Mikosz is set to join the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as the association’ senior vice president for member and external relations.
The appointment which takes effect on June 1, 2020 will be Mikosz first role since his departure from the KQ’s top seat at the end of 2019.
Mikosz announced the decision to exit the airline ahead of the end of his contract in May last year on personal grounds having served the airline for close to two years at the time.
The early exit came on the back of National Assembly’s rejection of his proposed joint venture to co-operate the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) alongside the Kenya Airport Authority (KAA).
His tenure at the carrier was characterized by run-ins with the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) and the Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA) with the altercations most of the time leading to ugly standoffs that left the carrier exposed.
Mikosz will be no stranger at the international agency having served on the IATA Board of Governors parallel to his time at Kenya Airways.
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He is expected to lead the organization’s global advocacy activities and aero-political policy development, along with managing the association’s strategic relationships.
“I can’t wait to get started at IATA. Aviation is in crisis and all industry and government stakeholders have high expectations for IATA to play a critical role in driving the recovery. From my experience as an airline CEO and member of the IATA Board, I know how important IATA is to global connectivity,” Mikosz said.
Before joining KQ, Mikosz was the head of e sky, a travel agency based in Poland but has previously served as the President and CEO OF LOT Polish Airlines.
Mikosz was replaced by Allan Kilavuka who was named as the new KQ CEO effective April one having been tapped first from sister carrier Jambo Jet on an interim capacity.