Dubai, United Arab Emirates — The president of Dubai-based airline Emirates will retire in June after 17 years at the helm of the Middle East's biggest carrier, the company confirmed Wednesday. Tim Clark, who joined the airline in 1985 when it was first launched, will remain on as an adviser, the company told The Associated Press by email. His retirement at the end of June 2020 was first announced by Emirates Chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum in an internal company memo to employees on Tuesday. The British aviation industry figure has gained a formidable reputation in the United Arab Emirates. Local media, which reported that Clark turned 70 in November, wrote glowing pieces about his tenure after news broke that he'd be stepping down as president.

Source: International New York Times December 25, 2019 09:56 UTC