CAPA’s World Aviation Summit – CAPA Think Tank: looking forward into 2024 and beyond
Over the past three years the aviation industry has been constantly looking back to life before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world.
And why wouldn't it? The 2000s can be fairly described as a strong decade for global aviation, with an additional 1.8 billion annual passengers taking to the air by the end of the decade.
Annual traffic had risen from 2.67 billion in 2010 to 4.46 billion in 2019 and the stable operating environment provided a platform for airlines to deliver stronger financial performance.
After constantly comparing the weaker performance of 2020, 2021 and 2022 with pre-pandemic data and highlighting the gradual recovery of air transportation, now is the time to stop looking back and start looking forward and not lose sight of the challenges that lay ahead as 2024 becomes the new baseline year for air travel.
- The world's biggest aviation markets are clearly awakening from their COVID-19 slumber.
- Watch EXCLUSIVE VIDEO coverage from panel discussions at CAPA's World Aviation Summit.
- The 2023 edition of the CAPA World Aviation Summit & Awards for Excellence took place in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates.
- The 2024 edition, under a new name, CAPA Airline Leader Summit World & Awards for Excellence, is to be held on 21-22 November 2024 in Belgrade, Serbia.
The world's biggest aviation markets are clearly awakening from their COVID-19 slumber
The aviation industry has made tremendous progress in recent years - domestic markets are now reporting growth on pre-pandemic levels, and international demand is now back above 90% of pre-COVID levels across almost all geographic markets - and it is up on 2019 in some.
The world's biggest aviation markets are clearly awakening from their COVID-19 slumber - China's borders have reopened and India is particularly in the spotlight following the large new aircraft orders at the Paris Air Show. The Dubai Air Show brought further major aircraft orders further highlighting the industry's growth.
However, behind this strong performance and declarations of numerous airlines that demand remains quite strong, one glaring question remains - when will this thirst for travel born from the pandemic be quenched?
No definitive answer is emerging, as airline executives try to determine the shape demand will take in 2024 and beyond.
Insights from CAPA's World Aviation Summit
This was the topic of a panel discussion at the CAPA World Aviation Summit in Abu Dhabi at the end of Nov-2023.
The session was moderated by KornFerry, Senior Partner, Michael Bell and included insightful observations from Etihad, Chief Revenue Officer, Arik De; Arajet, CEO, Victor Pacheco; Tus Airways, CEO, Ahmed Aly; CAE, Director Product Management - Airports Management and In-flight, Prasanth Mohan; and Abu Dhabi Airports, CIO, Andrew Murphy.
You can view the full session via the following CAPA TV recording.
About the CAPA World Aviation Summit
The 2023 edition of the CAPA World Aviation Summit & Awards for Excellence took place in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates. The event, held on 28-29 November, and hosted by the Etihad Aviation Group, brought together thought leaders from aviation and the wider travel industry, including airline and airport executives, key suppliers, technology partners and regulators.
The focus for the summit was the biggest trends which aviation faced in 2023, with global airline leaders sharing their insights and perspectives on the changes brought about in the aviation sector over the past year.
The topics ranged from rising costs, environmental sustainability, operational issues, international recovery, digital transformation, supply chains and more, and also provided some guidance on the future trajectory of air travel in 2024.
Next year's event to be hosted in Belgrade, Serbia
With the air travel industry having undergone an immense shift over the past few years, it is more important than ever to understand the strategic and competitive landscape across the industry.
The 2024 edition, under a new name, CAPA Airline Leader Summit World & Awards for Excellence, is to be held on 21-22 November 2024 in Belgrade, Serbia. Hosted by the City of Belgrade and Air Serbia, the event will tap global aviation leaders for an exciting examination of the direction the aviation industry is taking.
It will provide unique global perspective, unpacking the changes that are shaping the way airlines, airports and sector suppliers are doing business.