Finnair Chief Executive Keijo Suila was appointed in November to serve as the next Chairman of the oneworld governing board.

In his year in office, starting Jan. 1, he will act as “first among equals” of the chief executives of the global airline alliance’s eight members — American Airlines, British Airways, Qantas, Iberia, Cathay Pacific, LanChile, Aer Lingus and Finnair.

Suila will chair the three annual meetings of the oneworld governing board — including the first to be held in Finnair’s Helsinki home — and lead various other alliance activities.

A key focus for the alliance during his year as Chairman will be building further on the value it adds to its member airlines — totaling $2 billion so far in the three years since it was launched. oneworld also promises further improvement in customer service and to unveil more fare products.

Suila will succeed Cathay Pacific Airways’ Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive David Turnbull.