The International Air Transport Association (IATA) today announced the appointment of Sheldon Hee as its new Regional Vice President for Asia-Pacific, effective June 1, 2025. Based in Singapore, Hee will spearhead IATA’s initiatives across 39 countries in the region, which is home to 53 IATA member airlines.
Hee brings over 25 years of extensive experience in the airline industry, having held various management positions with Singapore Airlines in Singapore, Japan, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Most recently, he served as Singapore Airlines’ Vice President for Partnerships and International Relations.
“Having dedicated my professional life to the airline sector, I am both humbled and privileged to continue contributing at an industry level by leading IATA’s activities in Asia-Pacific,” said Hee. “This region is incredibly vast and diverse, with countries at varying stages of aviation development. I see tremendous opportunities for stakeholders across the region to collaborate and unlock its full potential. I look forward to working with our member airlines, governments, and partners, alongside the accomplished IATA team, to support the safe, efficient, and sustainable growth of an industry that is a vital catalyst for economic and social development.”
The Asia-Pacific region is projected to experience the fastest growth in passenger demand over the next two decades. In 2024, it accounted for a third of global passenger traffic (measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometers, or RPKs), and is anticipated to contribute more than half of global passenger traffic in the next 20 years.
Hee holds a Bachelor of Applied Science and a Master of Science from Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, as well as a Master of Business Administration from the University of Oxford.
