Michael Rousseau, president and CEO of Air Canada, has been elected as the new chairperson of the Star Alliance chief executive board (CEB). He succeeds Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines, who held the post since December 2020.
Assuming the role as the chairperson, Rousseau stated: “I am looking forward to working with the board over the next two years to continue our progressive work in delivering a seamless customer experience. At Star Alliance, we are committed to the vision of an effortlessly connected world, and I invite every member of our Alliance to join me in making this vision a reality in 2025 and beyond.”
In his new role as CEB chairperson of the largest airline alliance in the world, Rousseau will lead the two annual Star Alliance board meetings and serve as the spokesperson for the board, guiding the strategic direction of the alliance, which consists of 25 global member airlines.
Congratulating Rousseau on the appointment, Star Alliance CEO Theo Panagiotoulias said: “I am delighted to welcome Michael Rousseau, one of the most seasoned CEOs on the board, as the new chairperson, and look forward to working closely with him as we bring the renewed vision of the Alliance to fruition. I also extend my heartfelt gratitude to Scott Kirby for his guidance and support to Star Alliance during his successful four-year term.”
Each of the 25 member airlines is represented by its CEO on the CEB, which serves as the Alliance’s governing body and sets its overarching strategic direction.
The Star Alliance member airlines are: Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Air Portugal, THAI, Turkish Airlines, and United. Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers 17,500 daily flights to almost 1,150 airports in 189 countries. Further connecting flights are offered by Star Alliance connecting partner, Juneyao Airlines.
