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    CAPA Airline Leader Summit Asia 2026

    Chitose, Japan
    1-2 Oct 2026

    Day 2 - Friday 2 October

    8:00 AM - 9:00 AM - Registration, Coffee & Networking

    9:00 AM - 9:10 AM - CAPA Welcome

    9:10 AM - 9:40 AM - Airline Leader Interview: Malaysia Aviation Group, President & Group CEO, Captain Nasaruddin Bakar

    9:40 AM - 9:55 AM - Airline Leader Presentation: JAL Group, CEO, Mitsuko Tottori

    9:55 AM - 10:40 AM - Charting a Pragmatic Path: Asia's Aviation Sustainability Journey

    Sustainability in aviation presents an ongoing challenge for the Asian region, requiring a careful balance between environmental progress and commercial viability. Unlike Western markets, Asia's rapid traffic growth, price-sensitive passenger base, and diverse policy landscapes demand pragmatic strategies that deliver measurable results within tighter operational margins.

    For many carriers across the region, the pathway to net zero is phased and focused on immediate-impact measures. Airlines are prioritising fleet modernisation with fuel-efficient aircraft and operational optimisation, while navigating through persistent supply chain bottlenecks. Alternative fuel adoption remains constrained by cost barriers and supply limitations. Throughout Asia, the focus is shifting from compliance-driven targets to outcome-driven efficiencies, such as offsets via CORSIA, fleet and MRO optimisation, enhanced air traffic management, and digital transformation.

    The region's diversity adds complexity but also fosters innovation, with emerging alternative fuel production capabilities and cross-border collaborations paving the way for scalable solutions. Real-world outcomes, such as emissions reductions through CORSIA and from next-generation aircraft as well as supply framework improvements, highlight meaningful progress without over-reliance on regulatory and policy tools.

    This session will explore how aviation leaders across Asia can chart a realistic, regionally relevant path to sustainability, integrating long-term innovation with near-term impact.

    Panel:

    • Moderator: Richard Maslen, Head of Analysis, CAPA
    • Kimberley Camrass, Head of Sustainability, Boeing
    • Nic Fong, Sustainability Commercial Manager, Cathay Pacific Airways
    • Noriko Ogawa, Senior Vice President of Procurement and Deputy Senior Vice President of General Affairs, Japan Airlines
    • Jun Shinmachi, Deputy Executive Office, Taiyo Oil

    10:40 AM - 10:45 AM - CAPA Sustainability Awards

    10:45 AM - 11:30 AM - Coffee Break

    11:30 AM - 12:00 PM - Airline Leader Interview: Korean Air, CEO, Walter Cho

    12:00 PM - 12:45 PM - Regional Connectivity, Emerging Asian Markets and Seasonal Optimisation

    Regional connectivity and infrastructure development are pivotal to fostering economic growth and meeting increasing air travel demand as emerging Asian markets experience unprecedented expansion. The rapid rise of middle-class populations across Southeast and South Asia is driving substantial growth, creating significant opportunities and infrastructure challenges that require strategic investment and innovative planning.

    Expanding airport infrastructure is essential to accommodate rising passenger volumes and address congestion at major hubs. By enhancing regional connectivity, airlines and airports can unlock economic opportunities, improve accessibility to underserved areas, and capture growth potential in markets such as India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, and Bangladesh. Infrastructure development must balance rapid capacity expansion with affordability, sustainability, and operational efficiency.

    The aviation industry must also navigate seasonality challenges that impact passenger demand and operational efficiency. Seasonal patterns in emerging Asian markets differ significantly from traditional hubs, influenced by monsoon seasons, major festivals (Lunar New Year, Diwali, Eid), school holidays, and regional tourism cycles. Strategic planning, flexible scheduling, and infrastructure optimization are key to balancing peak and off-peak periods, ensuring seamless year-round operations while maximising infrastructure investment returns.

    This session will explore how airlines and airports can integrate infrastructure expansion with innovative solutions to capitalise on emerging Asian market growth while managing seasonality effectively, creating resilient networks that support sustainable long-term development across the region.

    Panel:

    • Moderator: Michael Bell, Senior Client Partner - Civil Aviation Practice, Korn Ferry
    • Adison Duan, Chairman & CEO, Cambodia Airways
    • Keikou Venske, Director, Aviation Business Development, Hokkaido Airports
    • Kentaro Dobashi, Vice President, Advisor to Managing Executive Officer of Sales and Marketing, Japan Airlines
    • Kate Holsgrove, Chief Commercial & Aviation Officer, Perth Airport
    • Nick McGlynn, Executive Vice President Asia, Qantas Airways

    12:45 PM - 1:15 PM - Airline Leader Interview: Thai Airways, CEO, Chai Eamsiri

    1:15 PM - 1:20 PM - CAPA Closing Remarks

    1:20 PM - 2:00 PM - Closing Lunch & Networking