Inaugural CAPA Qatar Aviation Aeropolitical & Regulatory Summit

Market access and open skies agreements under the spotlight

For an industry as global as the airline business, it seems impossible that there could be major constraints on international cooperation and national ownership. But there is a growing belief in the airline industry that the 70 year old provisions restricting the foreign ownership and control of airlines are archaic and should be significantly liberalised - or abolished.

Open skies agreements have paved the way for increasing liberalisation and removed capacity constraints in many bilateral and multilateral aviation markets; innovative airlines have resorted to creative forms of experimentation to circumvent ownership and control rules. These have taken many forms, including cross border equity purchases/JVs in Southeast Asia and Latin America and multinational ownership within the EU.

Any change in such a longstanding system is always like to generate pushback from some incumbent operators who are unwilling or unable to adapt. In many cases, national governments have however adopted more holistic policies which recognise the wider benefits of aviation, revising the role of flag carriers in their home markets. There are however exceptions, such as Canada, as well as some European and other governments.

These standouts may be influential as two major multilateral agreements are likely to be reviewed in 2019, in the post Brexit environment as the UK is forced to renegotiate individual air services agreements within Europe, as well as a new UK-US agreement that would cover the trans-Atlantic market.

Meanwhile, the EU-Qatar and EU-ASEAN comprehensive aviation agreements have the potential to create a different atmosphere in the regulatory climate. These negotiations are not without their challenges.

As the EU and GCC group of nations embark on talks to increase market access, dissenting voices worry about opening up EU skies to the Gulf super-connectors. Yet in many ways the Middle East Big 3 have not been as much of a threat as originally portrayed, in some cases forging deep partnerships with longer established airlines.

The Qatar Summit agenda will provide thoughtful insights on topical issues

The CAPA summit will seek to tap into some of the dynamic changes taking place in the regulatory environment, as key industry and government figures address:

• Open skies in key markets - major trends in aviation regulation around the world
• Overview of aviation's "archaic" bilateral regime and solutions for bringing the industry into the modern era
• Aviation policy among Middle East nations, including the ongoing progress of intraregional agreements, and the EU-GCC and EU-Qatar air services negotiations
• The impact of changing airline business models, new aircraft technology and airport/airspace capacity constraints on international air service negotiations
• The future of open skies in the EU-UK market and across the transatlantic as Brexit comes into effect
• The role of ASEAN Open Skies in Southeast Asia: a mechanism for overcoming ownership restrictions. The future role of cross-border JV as the skies liberalise in Southeast Asia?
• African liberalisation and progress of the Single African Air Transport Market
• Issues raised by the US Big 3 White Paper; ownership and control limitations
• Spotlight on the markets of India and China
• Airport perspectives on the regulatory environment
• Environmental regulation

[View Summit agenda here]

CAPA and Qatar Airways jointly develop agenda content

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: "Qatar Airways is delighted to host the upcoming CAPA Qatar Aviation, Aeropolitical and Regulatory summit in Doha. This conference, CAPA's first aeropolitical event to be held in the Middle East, will provide a forum for the discussion of key topical issues, including the rapidly evolving global regulatory environment, existing constraints on international cooperation and the future of open skies. We look forward to welcoming senior aviation executives, members of the legal community, governmental officials and all guests to Doha in February for this important summit."

CAPA executive chairman Peter Harbison said: "We are pleased to be partnering with Qatar Airways for the inaugural CAPA Qatar Aviation, Aeropolitical and Regulatory Summit. In a rapidly changing global regulatory environment, the Summit is a timely and important forum for dissecting key issues around ownership and control, open skies and market access. We invite all industry leaders to join us in Qatar to engage in dynamic discussions and meet with senior decision makers from airlines and government."

Delegate passes and sponsorship slots are now available

To avoid disappointment, attendees are advised to register as soon as possible before delegate passes sell out. Ultra Early Bird tickets are available until 04-Dec-2018, while special rates are on offer for group bookings. Limited complimentary airline passes are for full time direct employees of scheduled airlines and media representatives. Sponsorship and exhibition slots are also selling quickly and interested suppliers should contact CAPA to discuss available packages. For more information visit qatar19.capaevents.com

About CAPA - Centre for Aviation

Since its establishment in 1990, CAPA - Centre for Aviation (CAPA) has assumed a position as a highly influential aviation group, with its platforms helping the aviation sector and leading supplier businesses to stay informed, remain closely connected to industry leaders, be inspired to drive change and partake in industry evolution.

CAPA is the leading provider of independent aviation market intelligence, analysis and data services, covering worldwide developments and reaches more than 350,000 unique website visitors each month.

CAPA runs C-level aviation and corporate travel summits in key markets around the world, bringing together the leading stakeholders of the global commercial aviation industry. CAPA's global events are held in key aviation markets around the world and attract 300 executive level speakers and attendees at each of its global events.

Understanding aviation markets is our great strength and our passion. Providing our CAPA Members, clients and partners with an unparalleled level of expertise and insight is our business. For more information visit, centreforaviation.com.

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For media enquiries and to learn more about the Qatar Summit, please contact:
Daniella Baxter
Head of Marketing
CAPA - Centre for Aviation
P: +61 2 9241 3200
dbaxter@centreforaviation.com