Senior Executives to Discuss Future of Aviation Industry

For the aviation industry unstable fuel prices, crisis-ridden capital markets and climate protection constraints were the issues dominating the headlines last year. However, the recession has also led to positive developments. The over-capacity of the world’s airline industries has been reduced, older planes which consume large amounts of kerosene have been taken out of service, and business models have come under scrutiny. High-ranking representatives of airlines, aircraft manufacturers and airports will be discussing both these and other topics at the ITB Berlin Aviation Day on 12 March 2010.

Dr. Temel Kotil, CEO, Turkish Airlines will hold a keynote opening this headline event of the world’s aviation industry, which takes place at the ITB Berlin Convention. A panel with CEOs from around the world will examine the future of the airline industry in the face of growing pressure to save costs, long overdue consolidation and new business models. Panelists include: Joachim Hunold, CEO, Air Berlin, Stefan Pichler, CEO, Jazeera Airways and Emirsyah Satar, President & CEO, Garuda Indonesia. Afterwards Mauro Oretti, Vice President Sales and Marketing, SkyTeam, will talk about whether and to what degree strategic alliances are still relevant against the backdrop of much-needed consolidation.

This year marks the occasion of the first Airline Product Summit. In his introductory paper Robert Lange, Head of Aircraft Interiors Marketing, Airbus, will examine the following questions: What will passenger cabins of the future be like? Which airline product is most popular with tour operators and travel agencies? Airlines will be presenting the highlights of their cabin and service concepts. During the session a prize will be awarded for the most innovative concept.

Two other panel discussions are scheduled for the afternoon. Stuart Benzal, Managing Director, Global Onboard Product, United Airlines, David Post, Managing Director, SigmaZen, and Jay Sorensen, President, IdeaWorks Company, will discuss the radical shifts in airline pricing due to a lack of premium customers.

Discussion will focus on airline pricing in the future and which business models appear to be most promising. The last discussion round will deal with growing public resistance to air traffic near airports. People are become increasingly critical of aircraft noise and CO2 emissions. Ralph Beisel, Chief Executive, Der Flughafenverband ADV (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Deutscher Verkehrsflughäfen), Dr. Stefan Schulte, Chairman of the Board, Fraport AG and Prof. Dr. Rainer Schwarz, Management Spokesman, Berliner Flughäfen, will be debating how airports can win back popular support.

To round off the ITB Aviation Day, leading corporate and government consultant Dr. Jürgen Ringbeck will provide an update and highlight how new climate protection laws are changing aviation structures worldwide.

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