CAPA Airline Leader Summit Asia & Sustainability Awards 2024

Enjoy the key highlights of the CAPA Airline Leader Summit Asia & Sustainability Awards 2024 from Hong Kong.

The Airport Authority Hong Kong is a statutory body wholly owned by the Hong Kong SAR Government and is responsible for the operation and development of Hong Kong International Airport.

Based in Singapore, Bence is the Head of Marketing for APAC at Airbus, where he plays a pivotal role in promoting Airbus aircraft across a vast and diverse region. Bence leads a team who work directly with airline customers to demonstrate the value that Airbus brings to their fleet and networks. He joined Airbus in June 2020 as Sales Director, initially supporting the Qantas Group. Prior to this, Bence served as the Head of Network and Long-Term Planning for easyJet, one of Europe's leading low-cost carriers, where he managed an extensive network of over 1,100 routes and a fleet of approximately 330 aircraft.

Introducing Really Cool Airlines, a Thai lifestyle airline set to redefine the flying experience by offering more than just transportation - we're all about creating joyful lifestyle experiences for our passengers. Launching by the end of this year, we're on a mission to become Thailand's most extraordinary airline, where cutting-edge technology, innovation, and unparalleled service come together to make every journey unforgettable.

The impartial recovery of international travel was the main theme of Asia Pacific regional travel in 2023. While the region closed the gap to others in 2023, there is still significant ground to cover in 2024. In particular, the recovery of international travel both to and from China will be a crucial factor for Asia Pacific airlines.

• How soon can international travel return to pre-pandemic norms?

• What has changed in terms of passenger preferences for the Chinese traveller?

Traditional loyalty programs are no longer enough. This session dives deep into the values and expectations of Gen Z, revealing how airlines can create authentic connections that translate into lasting loyalty and increased revenue.

Discover how Cathay Pacific and Accommodations Plus International (API) partnered to redefine the crew accommodation process, leveraging technology and strategic sourcing to drive efficiency and cost savings across Cathay's global operations. Join Jason Pearson, Cathay Pacific, and Vivian Dsouza, API, as they discuss the partnership and the results achieved in this innovative collaboration.

Paul Griffiths is CEO of Dubai Airports, with the responsibility for the operation and development of Dubai International (DXB) - the world's busiest airport for international passengers, as well as Dubai World Central (DWC). Paul joined Dubai Airports as its first CEO in October 2007. A year later, on 14 October, Paul was instrumental in the flawless launch of Terminal 3 at DXB and on 27 June 2010 successfully opened the Emirate's second airport, DWC. He achieved another milestone in Dubai's aviation history on 2 January 2013 with the opening of Concourse A, the world's first purpose-built A380 facility and again with Concourse D on February 24, 2016. Paul also oversaw the opening of the passenger terminal at DWC on 27 October 2013. On December 20, 2018, Paul joined Dubai Airports' Chairman HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum in welcoming DXB's billionth passenger.

More than any other region, the Asia Pacific depends on air cargo as a financial lifeline. While global air cargo hit new highs during the pandemic, traffic has settled back into more usual patterns in the last two years. At the same time, global economic shifts, geopolitical events and shifting attitudes towards globalisation and trade suggest that the regional sector could be in for a difficult few years.

• With global economic growth slowing and industrial activity still tepid, how does the regional air cargo sector respond?

• What are the implications for regional air cargo of the ongoing e-commerce boom?

• How does the cargo sector follow the rest of the industry in reducing its emissions, while battling with its aged fleet?

• Will increasing protectionism and inward-looking economic development in major economies have implications for the sector?

Join us for a captivating discussion at the forefront of Asia's aviation industry, featuring notable C-suite executives from leading airlines across the region. This panel brings together a range of visionary leaders who are shaping the future of air travel in Asia-Pacific. Expect strategic insights into the challenges, opportunities, and innovations driving the industry forward in this region including:

• Market Trends and Challenges: Insights into the evolving passenger demands and regulatory landscapes across Asia.

• Innovation in Operations: Strategies for enhancing operational efficiency and sustainability initiatives.

• Digital Transformation: Leveraging technology to improve customer engagement, operational resilience, and cost efficiencies.

• Future Outlook: Predictions on the post-pandemic recovery, expansion plans, and the role of partnerships in driving growth.

This panel promises a deep dive into the dynamic world of Asian aviation, offering invaluable perspectives from industry leaders at the helm of innovation and transformation.

Improving sustainability is of critical importance for airlines in the Asia Pacific. Shifting consumer preferences towards more sustainable travel options and the industry's own goals to achieve net zero carbon emissions goal by 2050 are driving rapid action within the sector. Yet, action towards sustainability in the sector remains largely the province of individual actors and the Asia Pacific largely lacks the regulatory frameworks and policy incentives that are helping to drive action on sustainability in other regions.

• Is there an appetite for regional approaches to aviation sustainability in the Asia Pacific, or will governments and the industry be satisfied with the 'go it alone' approach?'

• How does the sector ensure that government action on sustainability is supportive of the industry and its own sustainability efforts, rather than becoming a drain on the sector?

• With consumer attitudes continuing to shift in favour of sustainable travel options, how does the travel sector capitalise on the rise of ecologically minded travellers?

• Given immense regional potential for sustainable aviation fuel production and the potential scale of local demand, how do airlines in the Asia Pacific help facilitate the energy transition?

Join us as we delve into the intersection of technology and distribution in the aviation industry, with an important focus on promoting environmental sustainability.

Our panel of experts will discuss innovative solutions and strategies that leverage cutting-edge technology for a complete cross-section of opportunities for airlines and airports including:

• Understanding and reducing carbon emissions, improving fuel efficiency, and minimising environmental impact.

• Delivering on the ever-changing needs of the traveller.

• Improving retailing opportunities as technology evolves and grows.

Alex McGowan is Cathay Chief Operations and Service Delivery Officer, responsible for all service and operating activities, including flight operations, engineering, service delivery, procurement, and the airline services subsidiaries. He is also an Executive Director on the Board of Cathay, a Director of HK Express, and Chair of the Group's wholly owned all-cargo airline Air Hong Kong. Prior to his current roles, Alex was Cathay Director Service Delivery. Alex joined the Company in 2005 and has led a number of departments across the airline, including Customer Experience, Sales and Distribution, Procurement and Aircraft Trading, Strategic Transformation, and Aircrew. Before joining the Company, he worked for an international airline based in London and a technology start-up in Seattle.

Airport Authority Hong Kong, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Vivian Cheung spoke to CAPA TV at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit 2024, in Hong Kong, about latest industry trends and company developments.

CAPA Events are hosted in key markets around the world and attract the highest calibre of thought leaders and decision makers in the aviation and travel industry. Delegates are provided with unprecedented access to the latest data, insights and trends from our global team, in addition to valuable networking opportunities with executives across all sectors of the aviation and travel industry. Review CAPA's full events calendar here.

Dubai Airports, CEO, Paul Griffiths spoke to CAPA TV at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit 2024, in Hong Kong, about latest industry trends and company developments.

CAPA Events are hosted in key markets around the world and attract the highest calibre of thought leaders and decision makers in the aviation and travel industry. Delegates are provided with unprecedented access to the latest data, insights and trends from our global team, in addition to valuable networking opportunities with executives across all sectors of the aviation and travel industry. Review CAPA's full events calendar here.

Greater Bay Airlines, CEO, Liza Ng spoke to CAPA TV at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit 2024, in Hong Kong, about latest industry trends and company developments.

CAPA Events are hosted in key markets around the world and attract the highest calibre of thought leaders and decision makers in the aviation and travel industry. Delegates are provided with unprecedented access to the latest data, insights and trends from our global team, in addition to valuable networking opportunities with executives across all sectors of the aviation and travel industry. Review CAPA's full events calendar here.

Liza Ng is the Chief Executive Officer and Board Member of Greater Bay Airlines. As CEO, Liza is responsible for providing visionary leadership, setting strategic business direction, as well as driving transformational changes to expand GBA's route network and fleet capacity. Liza joined Dragonair, an airline based in Hong Kong as a Management Trainee in 1990 after graduating from the Chinese University of Hong Kong with a degree in Business Administration. She later expanded her expertise to the industry giants Cathay Pacific and Air HongKong. Her 30 years of professional experience spans the entire airline supply chain. Prior to joining Greater Bay Airlines, Liza served as Chief Executive Officer and Board Member of Cathay Pacific Catering Services (H.K.) Limited, Hong Kong Airport Services Limited and Vogue Laundry Service Limited and sat on several boards of directors for ground support services companies offering business oversight to drive growth and performance.

Explore the relationship between global aviation trends and Asia's evolving market in this session which brings together international aviation representatives to dissect how global dynamics shape Asia's aviation landscape and influence its strategic direction. The global air travel industry is in something of a sweet spot. Demand remains strong and airlines are reporting improving profitability outlooks. The question remains, what impact does this have on the Asia region and what knowledge can be shared?

In this session, we review the global market outlook identifying trends in international air traffic, passenger demographics, and cargo logistics to understand learnings that could affect Asia, while understanding:

• What impact do global airline alliances and partnerships have on Asia's connectivity and market competitiveness?

• What advances in aircraft technology are assisting growth around the world, and what could Asia learn from this?

• How does the industry navigate regulatory challenges?

• Gain deep insights into how global aviation trends and how they will shape Asia's strategic future growth prospects.

Few airlines can claim to have transformed their sustainability performance as rapidly or thoroughly as Pegasus Airlines.

The past decade has seen the Turkish airline grown from a small regional airline into one of the most successful LCCs globally - more than doubling passenger traffic and tripling the size of its network.

At the same time the airline has rapidly transformed its fleet, with mostly A320neo and A321neo aircraft in service, and another 52 aircraft scheduled for delivery between 2025 and 2029.

Concurrently, Pegasus has become a world leader in terms of unit emissions and broader planning and performance around 'Environment, Sustainability and Governance' initiatives. The airline has set sustainability as one of its key strategic priorities, and, as a result, has integrated sustainability targets into its planning process and in the setting of its discrete goal under an ambitious 'Climate Transition Roadmap'.

This has resulted in the airline setting out discrete and achievable short-term sustainability targets, along with long-term aspirational and transformational goals.

These include: a 20% reduction in per RPK emissions (compared to 2019) by 2030; targets around annual fuel efficiency; steps towards electrification of ground equipment; and increasing renewable energy use.

All of these are being undertaken as part of the wider roadmap that aims to meet the wider industry ambition of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Güliz Öztürk, CEO of Pegasus Airlines said: "We are deeply honoured to receive this special award from CAPA, which is a testament to the hard work and dedication that drives our Environment, Sustainability and Governance (ESG) efforts at every level. Working towards our industry's Net Zero 2050 goal, we are pushing forward with strategic investments in next-generation aircraft, expanding our use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and embracing innovative technologies - each a vital pillar of our Climate Transition Roadmap. I extend my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to every one of my colleagues at Pegasus Airlines who remain unwavering in our commitment to a more sustainable future."

Cover Genius, SVP Strategic Partnerships Travel, Peter Smith spoke to CAPA TV at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit 2024, in Hong Kong, about latest industry trends and company developments.

CAPA Events are hosted in key markets around the world and attract the highest calibre of thought leaders and decision makers in the aviation and travel industry. Delegates are provided with unprecedented access to the latest data, insights and trends from our global team, in addition to valuable networking opportunities with executives across all sectors of the aviation and travel industry. Review CAPA's full events calendar here.

Cebu Pacific, Chief Executive Officer, Michael Szucs spoke to CAPA TV at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit 2024, in Hong Kong, about latest industry trends and company developments.

CAPA Events are hosted in key markets around the world and attract the highest calibre of thought leaders and decision makers in the aviation and travel industry. Delegates are provided with unprecedented access to the latest data, insights and trends from our global team, in addition to valuable networking opportunities with executives across all sectors of the aviation and travel industry. Review CAPA's full events calendar here.

Really Cool Airlines, CEO, Patee Sarasin spoke to CAPA TV at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit 2024, in Hong Kong, about latest industry trends and company developments.

CAPA Events are hosted in key markets around the world and attract the highest calibre of thought leaders and decision makers in the aviation and travel industry. Delegates are provided with unprecedented access to the latest data, insights and trends from our global team, in addition to valuable networking opportunities with executives across all sectors of the aviation and travel industry. Review CAPA's full events calendar here.

Saudi Air Connectivity Program (ACP), CEO, Majid Khan spoke to CAPA TV at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit 2024, in Hong Kong, about latest industry trends and company developments.

CAPA Events are hosted in key markets around the world and attract the highest calibre of thought leaders and decision makers in the aviation and travel industry. Delegates are provided with unprecedented access to the latest data, insights and trends from our global team, in addition to valuable networking opportunities with executives across all sectors of the aviation and travel industry. Review CAPA's full events calendar here.

Cathay Pacific, Chief Operations Officer, Alex McGowan spoke to CAPA TV at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit 2024, in Hong Kong, about latest industry trends and company developments.

CAPA Events are hosted in key markets around the world and attract the highest calibre of thought leaders and decision makers in the aviation and travel industry. Delegates are provided with unprecedented access to the latest data, insights and trends from our global team, in addition to valuable networking opportunities with executives across all sectors of the aviation and travel industry. Review CAPA's full events calendar here.

While the re-awakening of outbound travel from China has been slower than hoped for, the profile and preferences of the Chinese traveller are undergoing a series of major shifts. Outbound tourists are more independent, but also staying closer to home. They're taking shorter trips but also spending more per person than ever before. Spending is moving away from goods and towards services, with younger travellers placing more emphasis on accommodation, food and cultural experiences.

• What experiences and preferences are the new generation of Chinese travellers seeking out?

• As the demographics and appetites of Chinese outbound travellers shift, what are the best strategies to capture new travellers?

• Structural factors like visa arrangements and Chinese government travel policies, along with geopolitical tensions and concerns about safety, have blunted the long-haul outbound travel recovery. How can these be mitigated to support tourism volumes?