AAPA chooses Herdman
The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) has named a long-serving executive with Cathay Pacific Airways' parent Swire Pacific as its new director general to replace retiring Richard Stirland.
The AAPA says Andrew Herdman, 48, will take over from Stirland in October, when the incumbent retires after 10 years with the association. Stirland is also a former senior Cathay executive.
"Andrew will be responsible for taking forward and expanding the role of the association as the trade body of the airlines based in the Asia-Pacific region, ensuring that their voice is heard when their interests and those of their customers and other stakeholders are concerned, as well as promoting generally the growth of civil aviation in the region and beyond," says the AAPA, which is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The association represents 17 international airlines in the region although none from China, which is growing in importance as an aviation market. The AAPA has long tried to convince Chinese airlines to join, but so far without success.
Herdman has been with Swire for 27 years and is currently director corporate affairs in Hong Kong. Before taking on that position he was director and general manager of Cathay's catering division, and between 1994 and 1995 was managing director of Cathay- and Swire-owned Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering.
Between 1991 and 1993 Herdman was Cathay's general manager cargo, and between 1998 and 1991 was director and general manager of computer reservation system company Abacus Distribution Systems, which is owned by major Asian airlines.
Prior to that, between 1977 and 1987, Herdman held various other positions with Swire including those at Cathay and Swire Coca-Cola Hong Kong.
Herdman, a UK national, is a graduate of Oxford University's Magdalen College, holding degrees in chemistry and quantum mechanics, and management studies.
NICHOLAS IONIDES SINGAPORE
Source: Airline Business
