Loading

Leaving the building. Peter Harbison signing off from CAPA

Analysis

It's time for me to sign off from CAPA, effective 31-Dec-2022.

It'll be exactly 33 years since we started up as a fledgling consultancy and it's been a fascinating ride.

I've met extraordinarily talented people all over the world in this always challenging and complex industry and for that alone I'm enormously grateful.

Summary
  • The author, Peter Harbison, is stepping down from his role at CAPA after 33 years.
  • Harbison expresses gratitude for the talented individuals he has met in the aviation industry.
  • The number of people traveling on scheduled commercial airlines has significantly increased over the past five decades.
  • Harbison acknowledges that he cannot take credit for the industry's growth.
  • Harbison thanks the people in the industry for their support and for making his career enjoyable.
  • Harbison mentions his plans to write a book about airlines and his desire to contribute to environmental conservation.

I started in aviation on 03-Mar-1969.

That year 289 million people travelled on scheduled commercial international and domestic airlines, a 10% increase on the previous year, but substantially below the ten-year average rate.

By 2019, that number had increased to 4.5 billion, although by now the growth rate was now more sedate.

I can't claim the credit (or blame) for that proliferation, but it goes some way to illustrating the dynamism associated with the industry over five decades that I've enjoyed following.

In winding up, there are so many people in this astonishing industry I must thank for all their support and for making life such fun and so stimulating over the past 50+ years.

In the new year I'll try to get around to sending you a personal message, but in the meantime, thanks again and - love what you do!

I leave CAPA in the capable hands of Aviation Week Network & Informa PLC, a remarkably human company under the inspired leadership of Stephen Carter.

Although being a beach bum and enjoying family time occupy a lot of my time now, I'm also embarked on writing a book about…airlines. Oh, and I'd like to help do a bit to save the planet.

Best wishes for the holiday season, hopefully freer and more enjoyable than the difficult past couple of years - and here's to 2023 and a bright future!

Peter Harbison

Want More Analysis Like This?

CAPA Membership provides access to all news and analysis on the site, along with access to many areas of our comprehensive databases and toolsets.
Find Out More