Willie Walsh, chief executive office of International Airlines Group (IAG), has been nominated to become chairman of the oneworld alliance, replacing American Airlines chairman Tom Horton, who has filled the role since December 2011.
Oneworld states that Walsh will act as "first among equals" of the CEOs of the alliance’s member airlines, starting his tenure as the alliance completes its biggest yet expansion drive with the addition of TAM, US Airways and SriLankan Airlines.
oneworld CEO Bruce Ashby said: "We thank Tom Horton sincerely for his leadership of oneworld during a period of unprecedented growth for the alliance and at a time when his own American Airlines has been undergoing its merger with US Airways. He has played a pivotal role in strengthening oneworld also through the significant deepening of cooperation between American and so many of our other member airlines in recent years.
"We are fortunate to have, in Willie Walsh, a man with the vision, determination and overall skills and capabilities to lead us forward in the next phase of our journey to establish oneworld firmly as the first choice alliance for frequent international travellers the world over.