Mr. Léopold had strategy and transformation roles at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) from 2005 to 2020. His last role was Director Industry Strategy, focusing on the restart of the air travel industry after the Covid-19 crisis. Prior to this role, Eric was the Director Transformation for Financial, Distribution and Data Services. His team led the transformation agenda for the air travel industry, including change programmes and industry standards, such as the New Distribution Capability (NDC).

Eric championed the “Digital Airline Vision”, enabling airlines to become digital retailers and efficient financial organizations. Eric joined IATA in 2005, focusing on the passenger experience at the airport. Prior to IATA, Eric worked in internet start-ups and had management roles in the publishing and IT industries in the US and France. He holds an MS in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, an MBA, and graduated from an Advanced Management Programme in Air Transport. Eric Léopold spoke about the history, evolution, and future of the aviation industry.