The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced the appointment of Sheldon Hee as its new Regional Vice President for Asia-Pacific, effective June 1, 2025. Based in Singapore, Hee will be responsible for overseeing IATA's operations across 39 countries and 53 member airlines within this key global aviation region.
Bringing more than 25 years of experience in the airline industry, Hee has held various senior roles at Singapore Airlines, including postings in Japan, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Most recently, he served as the airline's vice president for partnerships and international relations. His long-standing career has equipped him with deep insight into international aviation and strategic collaboration.
Hee expressed his enthusiasm about the new role, stating: “Having spent my professional life in an airline, I am humbled and privileged to continue contributing at an industry level by leading IATA's activities in Asia-Pacific.” He highlighted the region's diversity and its varying stages of aviation development, stressing the importance of coordinated efforts between stakeholders to unlock its full potential. He aims to promote safe, efficient, and sustainable aviation growth, recognising the sector's vital role in driving economic and social progress.
Asia-Pacific is forecast to be the fastest-growing aviation market over the next 20 years. In 2024, the region already represented around one-third of global passenger traffic by revenue passenger kilometres (RPK) and is expected to exceed 50% of global demand in the coming decades.
Hee holds a Bachelor of Applied Science and a Master of Science from Nanyang Technological University, along with a Master of Business Administration from the University of Oxford. His leadership marks a strategic move by IATA as it gears up to support the region's rapidly expanding aviation landscape.
