oneworld Managing Partner Peter Buecking to step down to become President of airline industry's SITA

7 de maio de 2003

oneworld™ Managing Partner Peter Buecking is to leave the global airline alliance in July to become President of SITA, the leading provider of IT and communications services to the air transport industry.

Succession plans will be finalised by the Chief Executives of oneworld's member airlines – American Airlines, British Airways, Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Iberia, LanChile, Finnair and Aer Lingus – at the next scheduled meeting of the alliance's Governing Board, well before Peter Buecking's departure.

Keijo Suila, current Governing Board Chairman as Chief Executive of Finnair, said: "Peter has played a key role in establishing oneworld firmly as the leading alliance, in the value it provides its customers and member airlines. The processes and strategy he developed have become an essential element of the way we work. During these difficult times, working wisely together has helped our airlines ride out the storm. We are sad to see Peter go but wish him well and look forward to working with him as he fills what is a key position in the airline industry."

Peter Buecking, who will move to Geneva to take up his new position, said: "Moving away from oneworld will be a real tear, particularly as far as the people are concerned. Establishing the alliance's central team has been a great privilege and we've made satisfying progress in delivering substantial value to our shareholders and customers – but the opportunity to serve the global air transport industry at SITA was something I just could not refuse."

oneworld's members include some of the world's biggest and best airlines, who between them account for almost 20 per cent of the world airline industry output, earning more than US$50 billion in revenues last year and carrying some 230 million passengers on a fleet of 2.000 aircraft operating more than 8.500 flights a day.

In the past three years, oneworld – the world's most international alliance, serving more countries than any other airline grouping - has generated more than US$2 billion in value for them, through revenue generation and cost savings. It was named the world's best airline alliance in the first award to recognize this sector of the industry (Business Traveller magazine September 2002).

Peter Buecking was appointed its first boss three years ago after a 17-year career with founder member Cathay Pacific Airways, latterly as Director of Sales and Marketing.

SITA, owned by the air transport industry since its creation in 1949, is today the world's leading provider of IT and communications services for the air transport industry and for international organisations.

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