10 January 2011
The Association of European Airlines (AEA) has appointed Virgin Atlantic Chief Executive, Steve Ridgway, as Chairman of the Association for 2011. Mr Ridgway has said he will focus the efforts of the association of 36 leading European airlines on strengthening its members’ international competitiveness.
Mr Ridgway stated that aviation has a fundamental part to play in the recovery of the global economy and in connecting communities across the world. In the next 12 months Mr Ridgway hopes to see Europe focus on progressing the delivery of one single, efficient air traffic management system for Europe.
AEA has also this month welcomed Air Berlin to the association as its 36th member. With the new addition of Air Berlin the AEA members now fly 380 million passengers annually and transport over seven million tonnes of cargo. SMr Ridgway becomes the second consecutive UK CEO to Chair the AEA following Willie Walsh’s leadership in 2010. Mr Ridgway joined Virgin Atlantic in 1989 and was appointed CEO of the long-haul airline in 2001.
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