Singapore To Host World Air Transport Summit and IATA Annual General Meeting

International Air Transport Association (IATA) Director General and CEO Giovanni Bisignani has announced that Singapore will host the International Air Transport Association's 60th Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit (WATS-AGM) 6-8 June 2004.

"We are pleased to bring our flagship WATS-AGM event to Singapore for the first time. The Singapore Government's support for a healthy aviation industry has impacted the industry globally and made Singapore one of the world's strongest air hubs. It a natural location for the leaders of global aviation to discuss the most pressing issues facing our industry at this most critical time in our history," said Bisignani.

WATS-AGM attracts over 700 of the aviation industry's top leaders, including airlines, manufacturers, international organizations and governmental bodies. Delegates will debate the industry's major priorities including cost reduction, liberalization and financial viability.

Singapore has taken a strong lead in industry issues as wide-ranging as liberalization and SARS. "We thank the Government for its strong support of IATA and the WATS-AGM. With Singapore Airlines as our host airline, we look forward to welcoming the representative of IATA's 275 member airlines to the Lion City for what will no doubt be our most successful gathering ever," said an enthusiastic Bisignani.