NEW YORK – October 9, 2023 – Seabury Aviation Group and Airline Strategy Group, Inc. (collectively, “Seabury Airline Strategy Group”) announced today that Rob Gurney, the former oneworld CEO, will be joining as a strategic advisor to further strengthen the group’s capabilities with respect to consolidation, digitalization and sustainability credentials.
Rob has extensive experience in aviation, travel, travel technology and tourism industry having held senior roles with British Airways, Qantas Airways Limited and Emirates.
Most recently, Rob served as the Chief Executive Officer of the oneworld airline alliance which comprises of 13 of the world’s leading airlines, reporting to the alliance governing board consisting of member airline Chief Executive Officers, a position that he held for seven years. Rob also served as Chief Executive Officer for Helloworld Limited, a multi-faceted travel and tourism business with operations in Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Asia and listed on the Australian Stock Exchange where he undertook a major business transformation.
Rob has also served on a number of boards including the Asian-based Tour East Group, which he chaired; Australia Tourism Export Council; Tourism Western Australia and Tourism and Transport Forum Australia.
“Rob had several notable achievements in the CEO role at oneworld, in particular the expansion of the alliance to 13 global airlines and a long-term agreement for over one billion gallons of SAF,” said John E. Luth, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Seabury Capital Group, “Both industry consolidation and sustainability are topics in which Seabury is already heavily involved, and Rob will play a critical role in our global role out of our advisory capabilities in these areas as well as others.”
Rob Gurney commented on his appointment: “Joining this premier global aviation advisory team is truly an exceptional opportunity for me to capitalize on my decades of experience in aviation and travel to elevate the Seabury Airline Strategy Group team in further refining its advisory practices, especially concerning the critical strategic issues of financial and environmental sustainability of carriers. I am energized by the opportunities unfolding for our clients globally to take the next steps toward achieving such sustainability objectives.”
“The role of a global alliance CEO is a unique strategic role in the industry, working with airlines, Governments and other industry stakeholders. Rob becomes the third former alliance CEO to join us in a Strategic Advisory role,” said Max Reilly, Senior Partner at Seabury Airline Strategy Group. “Rob’s contributions to the digital transformation at oneworld, coupled with his extensive commercial airline experience in areas like distribution and sustainability, align perfectly with our expertise and vision.”