Pegasus Airlines Chairman of the Board Mehmet T. Nane will serve as IATA Board Chair for a second time during the June 2027-June 2028 term. Nane will become the first Turkish executive in IATA history to hold this position twice.
Turkish aviation has achieved another historic success on the international stage. It was announced that Pegasus Airlines Chairman of the Board Mehmet T. Nane has been elected for a second term as Chair of the Board of Governors of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). With this appointment, Nane became the first Turkish executive in IATA history to serve as Board Chair in two separate terms.
The decision was announced during the 82nd IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Mehmet T. Nane to Assume IATA Chairmanship in 2027
Pegasus Airlines Chairman of the Board Mehmet T. Nane will serve as IATA Board Chair from June 2027 to June 2028.
Nane will take over the role from LATAM Airlines Group CEO Roberto Alvo, who will serve as Chair during the 2026-2027 term.
It was also announced that Mehmet T. Nane has officially started serving as Deputy Chair of the IATA Board of Governors as of today.
A First in IATA History
Mehmet T. Nane previously served as IATA Board Chair during the June 2022-June 2023 term.
With this new appointment, Nane has entered aviation history as the first Turkish executive to be elected to the same position in two separate terms in IATA history.
Industry representatives emphasize that this development is critically important as it demonstrates the global influence achieved by Turkish civil aviation.
Member of the IATA Board Since 2019
Mehmet T. Nane has been serving as a member of the IATA Board of Governors since 2019.
Before his current appointment, Nane served on the IATA Governance and Performance Committee and also held the position of Chair of the Membership Committee.
Nane, who plays an active role in international aviation management, is considered one of the influential figures shaping sector policies.
Played a Critical Role in the Net Zero Emissions Target
During his first term as Chair, Mehmet T. Nane led the historic decision-making process regarding the aviation industry’s commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
This process is regarded as one of the most significant steps taken for sustainability in the global aviation industry.
Worked to Increase Female Representation
Nane also played an active role in supporting the progress achieved through IATA’s “25by2025” initiative, which aims to increase female representation in the aviation sector.
He was noted for making effective contributions to efforts aimed at strengthening diversity and inclusion policies within the industry.
Mehmet T. Nane: “It Is a Great Honor to Be Considered Worthy of This Role for a Second Time”
In his statement regarding the appointment, Mehmet T. Nane emphasized that the global aviation industry is going through a major transformation process.
Nane stated:
“It is a great honor to be considered worthy of this role for a second time. As the aviation industry continues to demonstrate its resilience while undergoing major transformations in many areas, from sustainability to digital transformation.”
Turkey’s Influence in Global Aviation Continues to Grow
Experts evaluate Mehmet T. Nane’s re-election as IATA Board Chair as one of the key indicators of Turkey’s growing influence in the global aviation industry.
In particular, the expanding aviation ecosystem centered in Istanbul, the rise of Turkish airlines in the global market, and the country’s strength in transit passenger traffic are positioning Turkey as one of the strategic centers of international aviation.
