Abta is reshuffling its public affairs team following the confirmation that current head of public affairs Luke Pollard is to stand as a Labour and Co-operative Parliamentary candidate in the next general election.
Pollard will take up an interim role as head of European development, and will continue to represent Abta in Brussels and ensure continuity on Abta’s work around the Package Travel Directive.
Stephen D’Alfonso will take up the role of head of public affairs, overseeing lobbying work and public affairs activities in Westminster and Whitehall. D’Alfonso joined the public affairs team in 2010.
Chief executive Mark Tanzer said: “Abta has made considerable progress in growing our political influence in the UK and in Brussels in recent years.
“Whether that is representing members in the Atol reform debate, being a founder member of the A Fair Tax on Flying campaign or making our case on PTD and other matters in Brussels, our profile and influence among policymakers has increased significantly.
“It is important that we continue to work on a cross-party basis advocating strong, clear and evidence-based arguments on behalf of our members.
“I am confident that with this new structure we will continue to have a first-class team working on behalf of Abta and our members in Whitehall, Westminster and Brussels.”