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A group of journalists from the Asia-Pacific region covering the aviation sector and communications specialists from the aerospace and airport industry have formed the Asia Pacific Aviation Media Association, or
Apama.
Apama has been registered in Bangkok, Thailand as a non-profit organisation. Its 1st Annual General Meeting was held on Friday, 14 June , 2002 at the Thai Airways International headquarters building in Bangkok.
The new Thai Airways International President Khun Kanok Abhiradee, was introduced to the members and spoke to them briefly when he visited during their
meeting.
Singapore-based journalist George Joseph, Transportation Editor of The Business Times, was elected Apama's first president.
Others elected include: vice presidents, Ms Vantanee Sundarasingha of Thai Airways International, Bangkok; Ms Christine McGee, Publisher, Orient Aviation, Hong Kong and Mr Alastair Carthew, Star Alliance, Bangkok.
Executive council members include: Miss Clara So, Lufthansa, Singapore; Hon Secretary; Mrs Somporn Voigt, Thansettakij Newspaper, Bangkok; Hon. Assistant Secretary; Miss Sharolyn Choy, Edelman Public Relations, Singapore and Boonsong Kositchotethana, Bangkok Post, Bangkok.
The newly-elected president of Apama, Mr Joseph, explaining the need for the formation of
Apama,:
"Asia-Pacific is clearly the largest growth area for the aviation sector in the next 10 years. With such expanded aviation activities comes the need for accurate and credible reporting by the media on the air transport sector.
"The people of the Asia-Pacific region are growing in affluence and sophistication. They are demanding more reliable and timely information on the aviation sector as they begin to travel by air more widely. They are interested to know about safety and security issues, reliability and efficiency of airlines and airport services and the cost of such services.
"More importantly, they are prepared to voice their concerns and unhappiness on problems like airline delays, price increases and general safety and security issues.
"The media, just like the airline industry itself, should be able to address the information needs of a more enlightened traveling public.
Apama was formed with this in mind and the realisation that media professionals in Asia/Pacific needed to upgrade their skills and improve their knowledge of the aviation industry.
"This is essential if we are to provide the accurate, timely and credible information demanded by the discerning traveler,'' Mr Joseph added.
Apama's major objectives hence, are to:
SERVE the travelling public's need for reliable and credible information;
ENHANCE the quality of aviation reporting, and
FOSTER a well-informed and better connected fraternity of media and
communications professionals in the aviation sector.
Mr Joseph also added that as a major annual event, APAMA will launch an Annual Aviation Lecture in the region.
The inaugural Apama Aviation Lecture will be held on Friday, June 28th in Singapore. The Chairman of Singapore Airlines, Mr Koh Boon Hwee, is the first lecture speaker. |
