ACTE-CAPA Global Summit

Mezi VP Travel Strategy & Partnerships, Johnny Thorsen, talks about the possible impact of blockchain technology on airline distribution and looks at developments in pricing.

CarTrawler CTO, Bobby Healy, discusses the opportunity presented to airlines by technology, particularly in distribution and payments, seeing improved customer service and lower costs as major benefits. He sees Ryanair as a leading example of an airline making strides with digital technology.

Norwegian Air Shuttle CEO, Bjørn Kjos, discusses the new 737MAX-operated Cork-Providence route and looks at the potential for the A321LR on North Atlantic routes. He anticipates further Asian routes, subject to Russian overflight rights and gives an update on progress with Norwegian Argentina. He also discusses the profitability of Norwegian’s long haul network and the international

TAP Portugal SVP Network and Revenue Management, Elton D’Souza, outlines the airline’s 2017 profit target and traffic growth drivers, noting that it has been a record year for revenues every month so far. He gives an update on TAP’s partnership with Azul and its impact on its position on routes to Brazil and looks at its emerging partnership with Hainan Airlines. He ends with a look at the impact of the A321neoLR on TAP’s network.

airBaltic Chairman & CEO, Martin Gauss, provides insights on the airline’s turnaround and its forecast for 2017. He underlines the attraction of the CSeries aircraft and the airline’s decision to operate only this aircraft from 2020.

Highlights of day 1, with comments from Finnair CCO Juha Jarvinen, CityJet Chairman Pat Byrne, bmi regional CCO Jochen Schnadt, airBaltic Chairman & CEO Martin Gauss.

Finnair CCO, Juha Jarvinen, tells CAPA about the airline’s new Japan services, the emergence of competition to Japan and the performance of the new San Francisco route. The joint ventures to both Japan and the US are working well for Finnair.

IAG, CEO Willie Walsh, talks about the performance of Level, discussions with Ryanair about feeding Aer Lingus’ long haul, the collapse of Monarch, Virgin Atlantic’s new relationship with Air France-KLM and Vueling’s profit recovery path.

Cobalt Air CEO, Andrew Madar, discusses his Cyprus-based start up airline and his background with aircraft manufacturers. He identifies seasonality as one of Cobalt’s biggest challenge, solutions to which include hub connections and long haul plans.

IAG, CEO Willie Walsh, expresses his embarrassment and honour at being recognised in the CAPA Awards. He believes the airline industry is going through a period of positive change and can sustain its current level of returns.

CityJet CEO & Executive Chairman, Pat Byrne, talks about his operation from London City. Pending certification for the Sukhoi Superjet at the airport, CityJet’s Superjets are currently operated for other airlines and charter flights. Meanwhile the Avro/BAE fleet continues until 2019/20. Mr Byrne hints at the possibility of further acquisitions by CityJet.

bmi regional CCO, Jochen Schnadt, discusses the airline’s partnerships with Loganair and Air Dolomiti and the importance of its Munich hub. He raises the possibility of establishing new hubs elsewhere in Europe and recognises the importance of bmi regional’s relationship with the Lufthansa Group

Royal Jordanian CEO, Stefan Pichler, gives his views on his priorities for the airline, its turnaround plan and capital increase and growth prospects.