MONTREAL - The president and CEO of Air Canada (TSX:AC.B) has been picked for a key post at Star Alliance, which represents more than two dozen airlines around the world.

Calin Rovinescu says he will use the two-year term as chairman of the alliance's executive board to strengthen the global network and maintain customer loyalty.

Rovinescu has been the top executive at Canada's largest airline since April 2009 and held key other executive positions with Air Canada since 2000.

Air Canada is one of 27 members of the Star Alliance, which also includes Air China and Shenzhen Airlines , Germany's Lufthansa, as well as United and US Airways of the United States.

At the Star Alliance, he succeeds Rob Fyfe, CEO Air New Zealand.