Roberto Alvo Begins Term as IATA Board Chair

Roberto Alvo, chief executive of LATAM Airlines Group, has begun his duties as Chair of the IATA Board of Directors. His one-year term started immediately after the close of the 82nd IATA Annual General Meeting held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 7 June 2026. Alvo becomes the 84th person to hold the position and has served on the board since 2020. ## Leadership Transition Details Alvo succeeds Luis Gallego, chief executive of International Airlines Group, who remains on the board. The change occurs as IATA continues its work on governance modernization. Willie Walsh, IATA Director General, credited Gallego with steady leadership during that process and expressed confidence in Alvo’s ability to guide the board forward. ## Alvo’s Career Path Alvo brings more than 25 years of aviation experience to the role. He joined LAN Airlines, the predecessor to LATAM Airlines Group, in 2001 and advanced through finance, commercial, and strategy positions before becoming chief executive in 2020. In that capacity he directed the carrier through its Chapter 11 restructuring and the COVID-19 pandemic, leading the group to emerge from the process in 2022. Under his direction LATAM has expanded service to more than 161 destinations across 27 countries while advancing sustainability initiatives and improving operational results. ## Chair Elect and Board Composition IATA also named Mehmet Tevfik Nane, chairperson of the board at Pegasus Airlines, as the next chair. Nane will assume the position in June 2027 after Alvo completes his term. The organization released the full roster of its 32 board members alongside the announcement. Alvo stated that aviation plays a growing part in global connectivity, trade, and economic development. He described the chair role as a responsibility he accepts with commitment, emphasizing continued collaboration among members, governments, and partners to support safety, efficiency, sustainability, and broader access to air service. ## Industry Representation IATA represents more than 370 airlines that together account for some 85 percent of global air traffic. The board leadership change was announced from the association’s pressroom on 7 June 2026. [Full IATA release](https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/2026-releases/06-07-roberto-alvo-chairs-iata-board-of-directors/) [Aviation industry coverage](https://simpleflying.com/) ## Why it matters for AeroLink pilots Pilots operating international routes may see continued emphasis on regional connectivity and sustainability programs that affect fleet planning and schedule stability at carriers such as LATAM. Awareness of IATA board priorities can help crews anticipate industry-wide discussions on operational efficiency and network expansion that shape long-term career and training opportunities.