The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced the appointment of Sheldon Hee as the new Regional Vice President for Asia-Pacific, effective 1 June 2025. Based in Singapore, Hee will oversee IATA’s operations across 39 countries, representing 53 member airlines in a region poised for significant growth in passenger demand.
With over 25 years of experience in the airline industry, Hee has held various management roles at Singapore Airlines in multiple countries, including Japan, Switzerland, and the UK. Before joining IATA, he served as Vice President for Partnerships and International Relations at Singapore Airlines. Hee expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, stating, “I am humbled and privileged to continue contributing at an industry level by leading IATA’s activities in Asia-Pacific.”
The Asia-Pacific region is expected to see the fastest-growing passenger demand over the next 20 years. In 2024, it accounted for a third of global passenger traffic, and projections indicate it will contribute more than half of global passenger traffic in the coming decades. Hee aims to collaborate with member airlines, governments, and partners to support the region’s aviation development.
Hee holds a Bachelor of Applied Science and a Master of Science from Nanyang Technological University, as well as a Master of Business Administration from the University of Oxford. His appointment follows the interim leadership of Dr Xie Xingquan, who managed the region after Philip Goh’s retirement in April 2024.
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