The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has appointed Thomas Reynaert as senior vice president, external affairs, effective September 1, 2025.
Reynaert will be responsible for coordinating IATA's global advocacy efforts from its office in Brussels, Belgium. He joins from IBM where he was vice president, government and regulatory affairs for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa from 2023. Prior to IBM, he was the founding managing director of Airlines for Europe (A4E) and successfully ran A4E from 2016 to 2023.
“It is critical that governments understand the value aviation creates and the challenges that airlines face as they connect people and economies,” said IATA director general Willie Walsh. “Thomas brings knowledge and experience that will help IATA increase the effectiveness of our work with governments and regulators.”
Reynaert commented: “While doing this critical work, airlines face the burden of onerous taxation, the imperative of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, and the fragmentation of global standards with novel and potentially value-destroying approaches to everything from slots to passenger rights. I'll be working with governments worldwide for a more productive regulatory environment in which airlines can efficiently compete and grow as they deliver the global connectivity that makes our world a better place."