Air New Zealand : Star Alliance Announces Management Change Jeffrey Goh to lead the Star Alliance organisation from 2017.…more

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, June 4th, 2016 - The Chief Executive Board of Star Alliance today appointed Jeffrey Goh as the Alliance's Chief Executive, effective 1st January 2017, to succeed Mark Schwab, who will retire at the end of the year.

Jeffrey Goh (47) will head Star Alliances Services GmbH, the Germany-based brand and project management company which coordinates the activities of the world's largest and most experienced airline alliance.

'This early decision lays the groundwork for a smooth leadership transition at the top of the Alliance`s management company', said Calin Rovinescu, Chairman of the Chief Executive Board. 'Mark Schwab led the Alliance through an important period. After more than a decade of adding new member airlines in significant and strategic markets around the globe, the focus of the Alliance has shifted to a closer integration of customer-facing services, systems and processes.

'With Jeffrey, we have selected an experienced aviation professional who is well-known and respected by our member airliners and will be able to lead our Alliance organisation through the fast-moving developments in this highly competitive global aviation environment in the coming years.'

'The last five years have been an extremely rewarding experience in an aviation career that has spanned 42 years', said current Star Alliance Chief Executive Mark Schwab. 'It is a stimulating challenge to initiate change and progress in such a multi-cultural environment so as to meet the evolving needs of aviation customers globally. I am convinced that our Alliance is well-positioned for an exciting future.'

'I am truly honoured,' said Jeffrey Goh.' I would like to thank the Chief Executive Board for their confidence in me. It is critical that we not only deliver greater value to our member airlines but also strive constantly to improve and innovate in the interests of over 600 million customers who fly with Star Alliance member airlines every year. I look forward to carrying on the great work of my predecessors and cooperating closely with our members to ensure that we remain the leading global airline alliance.'

Jeffrey Goh is currently Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel of Star Alliance, with responsibilities including strategy and membership development, human resources, joint sourcing and fuel-related projects, as well as legal, finance and project Management. Jeffrey Goh joined Star Alliance in 2007 from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and prior to that taught and practised law. He holds a doctorate in the principles and policies of regulating airline competition and regulation.