Dale Keller was appointed in November 2012 as chief executive of The Board of Airline Representatives in the UK (BAR UK), the airline trade organisation representing the interests of the majority of international network airlines operating to the UK. His role is to present a vital international perspective of the airline industry at a local UK level through close engagement with government ministers, departments and industry stakeholders.

With more than 30 years’ experience in the aviation, travel and tourism industries, the New Zealand born professional commenced his aviation career in the start-up team at Ansett New Zealand, prior to relocating to the United Kingdom in 1990.

His travel retail management experience in the UK with Anglo Pacific Travel and London Flight Centre’s was followed by a return to airline management roles in 1993 with China Airlines (CAL Taiwan), where he was sales & marketing manager UK for five years. Then eight years with Air Malta, where as general manager he was instrumental in the airline’s commercial preparations for Malta’s accession to the EU instrumental and in growing the UK and Ireland flight schedule to a record 55 services per week. He then joined Air Mauritius as regional manager UK where he successfully delivered upon a brief to increase the airline’s schedule to a daily operation.

A strong interest in marketing and public relations, including a diploma in marketing from the London College of Communication, saw him join a management buyout of aviation, travel and tourism specialist consultancy KTA Public Relations in 2007, where he was managing director until October 2012.

He remains intensely passionate about aviation at every level and is an avid supporter of the significant benefits of a strong and sustainable aviation sector to the UK.