Ready For The Future

The recent International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit could not have been in a more perfect location than Sydney. With the city preparing to become the hub for ultra-long haul flights in Qantas’ CEO ‘Project Sunrise’ programme, it also saw some candid assessments about the future of the industry and active debates on gender equality in the aviation business. Highlights:

The meet: The world’s largest gathering of airline leaders

Venue: International Convention Centre, Sydney

Host: Qantas, an IATA founding member

The 74th IATA AGM saw more than 1,200 global leaders and aviation stakeholders at Sydney for the invitations-only International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit.

Secured for the city by Business Events Sydney (BESydney), it was a “perfect location”, according to New South Wales (NSW) Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Adam Marshall. He pointed out that the gather of “global leaders shaping the future of the aviation industry” came at a “hugely exciting time for our state”. Reason: Work was beginning on the new Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek. The new aerotropolis would present a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform the region, he said. Incidentally, the AGM was taking place during the annual Vivid Sydney festival when the city is at its most vibrant with lights, music and much more.

BESydney CEO, Lyn Lewis-Smith added: “Our aviation sector supports hundreds of thousands of jobs and contributes significantly to Australia's overall prosperity. With huge investment in our infrastructure, and Sydney’s aviation services forecast to double over the next 20 years, there could not be a more opportune time to host these global leaders here.”

The going was good in 2017 but this year, the story will be different even though “at long last, normal profits are becoming normal for airlines”, according to Alexandre de Juniac, Director General and Chief Executive.