Over 25 airline representatives to descend on North Asia LCC Symposium

The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation has recorded unprecedented interest from airlines for its second annual North Asia Low Cost Airline Symposium on 4-5 August 2005, in Kitakyushu, Japan.

According to the Centre’s Managing Director, Peter Harbison, over 25 airlines will be attending the event, either as speakers or delegates, including numerous start-up airlines from across North Asia. “It is shaping up to be a truly stimulating programme, in a context of change in the North Asian market” said Mr Harbison.

Mr Harbison pointed to recent proposals from the CAAC to allow greater competition in fuel supply and pricing freedom as major positive factors for future LCC operations in China.

The New Kitakyushu Airport, under construction in southern Japan, is simultaneously launching its major drive to secure airline operators ahead of the airport’s opening in March 2006. As part of its Route Development and Marketing initiative, airport officials will meet with airline delegations from across North Asia, including several low cost start-up carriers, planning new domestic and international routes to Southern Japan. There is potential for very high growth levels of short haul point-to-point air services between Japan, South Korea and China.

Symposium Programme Highlights Include:

- Keynote addresses from Michael Roach, Co-founder of America West Airlines and Partner, Roach & Sbarra Airline Consulting; Andrew Herdman, Director General of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines, and Norihiko Yamagata, Director General, Seaport & Airport Bureau, City of Kitakyushu;

- Mr. Li Kun, Chief Operating Officer of China Southern Airlines and Mr Hideyuki Kanenari, Senior Executive Officer, Japan Airlines will discuss the future of the short haul airline market in North Asia, including their strategies and expectations in the next year;

- David Huttner, Former Head of Strategy and Director of International Development for Virgin Blue, and Director of International Affairs for United Airlines, Ms Sandra Chiu, will share their international experience in the development of a low cost airline start-up in the context of North Asia.

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