UK airline trade body the British Air Transport Association is looking for a new chief executive to replace Simon Buck (pictured) who is to retire in September.
The London-based position has been advertised as the organisation seeks a successor to Buck who is leaving after four years in the role.
Bata chairman Barry Humphreys said: “Despite deregulation in some areas, aviation continues to be a highly regulated industry, subject to considerable political intervention.
“If anything, therefore, the role of an airline trade body has become even more important and Bata has had to evolve to meet the growing challenges.
“Simon has been central to that development and has played a key role in ensuring that Bata’s, and its airline members’, voices have been heard by government and regulators.”
Buck said: “I have enjoyed working in this high profile role. I became involved in aviation for the first time some 25 years ago and will miss many colleagues, both within the Bata membership, across the spectrum of the industry and in regulatory circles.
“But I am now looking forward to early retirement and seeing more of my family which will involve my being overseas for much of the time.
“I wish my eventual successor every happiness and success in rising to the challenges which airlines continue to face.”