Australian airlines missing from Asian summit

Qantas and Virgin Australia appear to be no-shows for a prestigious airline summit to be held in conjunction with the Singapore Airshow later this month.

At least neither of the two local airline majors are represented in the speaker or panel lineups (see below).

Both airlines (but particularly Qantas) have made much of their intent to get seriously involved with Asia.

Indeed, via Jetstar Qantas is already there and remains committed to a start-up premium brand based in Kuala Lumpur.

But Qantas is no longer a member of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA), having dropped out shortly after Alan Joyce took over as CEO.

Virgin Australia, being until recently pretty much a domestic airline, has never been an AAPA member; but it has forged a significant link with powerful Singapore Airlines which is a lead member of the Association.

One might think that statements of intent about further involvement with the Asian market could be accompanied by gestures of commitment to the regional forums.

This promising Leadership Summit is on in Singapore on Monday 13 February, if anyone else is interested:

Aviation Leadership Summit programme – 13th February

8:30am – 9:30am Opening Address
Mr Lui Tuck Yew
Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs, Singapore

Mr Roberto Kobeh González
President of the Council, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)

Mr Tony Tyler
Director General and CEO, International Air Transport Association (IATA)

9:30am – 10:15am Tea Break

10:15am – 12:00noon Panel 1: Driving Change, Overcoming Challenges
Aviation in 2012 is very different from what it was a decade ago. Processes have changed, efficiencies improved, new technologies have been introduced and policies have evolved. Yet airlines, the core of the aviation value chain, are constantly buffeted by crises and shocks, and continue to deliver unsustainable levels of profitability. Airports, air navigation service providers, and aircraft manufacturers also face a daunting environment. Governments meanwhile are challenged to be enablers of the sector’s onward growth and sustainability. This panel brings together representatives of major aviation stakeholders for a top-level look at the key drivers for a more successful and sustainable future shared equitable across the value chain.

Mr Thomas Enders, Chief Executive Officer, Airbus
Mr Goh Choon Phong, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Airlines
Mr Paul Griffiths, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Airports
Mr Michael Huerta, Acting Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration

Moderator: Mr Robert Martin, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, BOC Aviation Pte Ltd

12:00noon – 2:00pm Lunch
Lunch Address
Mr Siim Kallas
Vice President, European Commission and European Commissioner for Transport

Moderator: Mr Andrew Herdman, Director General, Association of Asia Pacific Airlines

2:00pm – 3:15pm Panel 2: Security – The Challenge of Growth
A decade after the tragic events of September 11, 2001, aviation security remains in the spotlight. Improved security has come at great expense both in terms of costs, resources and passenger convenience. Global passenger numbers are expected to rise by 500 million to 3.3 billion by 2014, adding to the challenge. The panel will discuss the strategies, technology, risk-based processes and intergovernmental coordination needed to improve delivery of this top industry priority.

Mr John Pistole, Administrator, Transport Security Administration
Mr Abdulhameed H. Abalary, Director, Central Department of AVSEC, GACA, Saudi Arabia, & Vice-Chairman, ICAO AVSEC Panel
Mr Giovanni Bisignani, Former Director General, International Air Transport Association (IATA)
Mr Emirsyah Satar, Chief Executive Officer, Garuda

Moderator: Mr Mark Pilling, Publisher, Flight Global

3:15pm – 3:45pm Tea Break

3:45pm – 5:00pm Panel 3: ETS and Beyond
The aviation value chain has committed to three sequential targets: a 1.5% average annual improvement in fuel efficiency to 2020, capping net CO2 emissions from 2020 with carbon-neutral growth, and cutting net carbon emissions by 50%compared to 2005. Along with discussing how aviation can deliver on these commitments, the panel will focus on the key issues arising from the EU’s planned inclusion of aviation in its emissions trading scheme from 2012, progress on a global framework on market based measures through ICAO, and outcomes from COP-17

Mr John Slosar, Chief Executive Officer, Cathay Pacific Airways
Mr Samer Majali, Chief Executive Officer, Gulf Air
Mr Tim Johnson, Director, International Coalition for Sustainable Aviation
Mr Boubacar Djibo, Director, Air Transport Bureau

Moderator: Mr Paul Steele, Executive Director, Air Transport Action Group