MONTREAL – 5 March 2021 -- The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) welcomes Juan Carlos Salazar Gómez of Colombia as the incoming Secretary General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Elected on 25 February by the 36-member ICAO Council, Mr. Salazar will start his term in August. He will be responsible for directing the operations of ICAO’s Secretariat and the organization’s relations with 193 member states.

Currently the Director General of Civil Aviation in Colombia, Mr. Salazar has 26 years of legal and management experience in international aviation. He has led the Colombian Civil Aviation Organization and has served as Senior Advisor to the Civil Aviation Authority of the United Arab Emirates.

“Mr. Salazar is recognized well beyond Colombia as a leader in international aviation,” said Kurt Edwards, Director General of IBAC. “At home, he has overseen a dynamic aviation system, including the fifth largest fleet of business aircraft in Latin America. He will bring a broad range of international aviation and management experience to ICAO at a crucial moment. IBAC, on behalf of the business aviation community, looks forward to working with him as we seek to restart the post-pandemic global air transport system.”

Mr. Salazar will follow Dr. Fang Liu, current ICAO Secretary General. An advocate for all segments of air transport, Dr. Liu has offered support to business aviation throughout her tenure, participating in key events and welcoming greater engagement with ICAO.

“All of us at IBAC want to thank Dr. Liu for her leadership over the last six years and wish her well in future endeavors,” added Edwards.

Media contact: Marj Rose, IBAC Communications Consultant, comms@ibac.org

About IBAC: IBAC represents the interests of business aviation worldwide. IBAC is a non-profit, international trade association with official observer status at the International Civil Aviation Organization, the UN Specialized Agency for aviation matters, in Montreal, Canada. IBAC promotes and manages the industry-leading standards for best safety practices through its  International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO™); International Standard for Business Aviation Handling (IS-BAH™); Safety Management Tool Kit; SMS eLearning training; and Aircrew Identification Card. www.ibac.org