Travelport has confirmed Robert Coggin, vice chairman of GDS operations, is to retire.

For the past ten years Coggin has been an advisor and key ambassador for Travelport across the travel industry, providing guidance and assisting in the management of the company’s relationships with all senior level airline executives and other supplier partners. 

His last official engagement for Travelport will be in August 2011, at the Global Business Travel Association convention in Denver, Colorado.

Prior to Travelport’s acquisition of Worldspan in August 2007, Coggin was vice chairman of Galileo and, previous to this, he was vice chairman of Travelport Airline Services, responsible for supporting a number of strategic initiatives.

He joined Travelport in 2002, following 42 years with Delta Air Lines.

Commenting on developments, Gordon Wilson, Travelport president, said: “There are very few people who have not only experienced the changes seen in the airline industry in the past 50 years but have also been instrumental in creating a number of them as Bob Coggin. 

“He was involved in the creation of Worldspan, was the architect for much of Delta’s international route expansion in the late eighties and nineties and was a key player in the early days of online travel.

“Travelport has been privileged to tap into the vast industry knowledge, insight, advice and contacts that Bob has amassed and for me personally, he has been a tremendous sounding board and source of advice. 

“On behalf of all of us, I wish him the very best for a long, healthy and happy retirement.”