CAPA Airline Leader Summit Australia Pacific

Day 2 - Friday 1st August, 2025

09:00-09:10

Chairperson's Welcome

09:10-09:50

Airline Leader Interview with Qantas Domestic CEO Markus Svensson

Qantas Domestic CEO Markus Svensson

Moderator: APAC Network, CEO, Oriel Morrison

09:50-10:30

Where to now for domestic aviation? Examining the trajectory of Australia's air travel sector

The 2024 Australian Aviation White Paper seems to have been a damp squib - long on intention and ambition, but short on detail and practical measures. The vision is for an aviation sector that is safe, competitive, productive and sustainable. This session will take a hard look at what is actually being done - and more importantly what should be done - to produce the best outcomes for the air travel sector in Australia.

• What is the progress around government short-term initiatives such as the aviation industry ombuds scheme, passenger rights charter, airline 'show cause' arrangements and new disability/passenger assistance standards?
• What are the expected outcomes of proposed competitive reforms, such as changes to airport slot management and negotiating arrangements, airport economic regulation, and aviation competition monitoring?
• Are proposals around the aviation workforce such as licence reforms, training expectation and future workforce planning going to be effective?
• Will government support for regional aviation actually produce any meaningful improvements for regional connectivity, flight pricing and airport standards?

Moderator: ASM Global Route Development, Director Australasia, Hans Mitterlechner

Panel:

A4ANZ, CEO, Emma Wilson

BARA, Executive Director, Stephen Pearse

Regional Aviation Association of Australia, CEO, Rob Walker

10:30-11:00

Technology Rundown - Technology development: eVTOLs making stop-start progress in Australia

Grandiose promises from the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOLs) sector appear to have run into the harsh realities around technological development and regulatory frameworks. Yet the Australian advanced air mobility sector is still taking a pioneering role in the Asia Pacific, with groundwork still underway for the arrival of commercial advanced air mobility operations. Join us session examining the current 'state of the art' for the eVTOL sector in Australia.

Moderator: Watson, Farley & Williams, Partner, Alan Polivnick

Panel:

AMSL Aero, Head of Strategy, Russell Hoore

Eve Air Mobility, Business Development Lead, Rob Weaver

Wisk Aero, Director Indo Pacific, Phil Swinsburg

11:00-11:05

Airlink presentation

11:05-11:10

Announcement of venue for 2026 Airline Leader Summit for Australasia

11:10-11:40

Coffee break & Networking

11:40-12:20

South Pacific - Cooperation and collaboration is key in a challenging market

Few regions globally need aviation as much as the South Pacific, with air transport providing vital trade, travel and tourism links for regional economies. Even with this outside importance, regional aviation continues to struggle with chronic issues around workforce and infrastructure shortages, dissimilar regulations and limits to market access. This is without even considering the region's unique geography, market dynamics and political environment. This panel will bring together regional aviation leaders to look at how airlines overcome these challenges through innovation, agility, cooperation and collaboration.

Moderator: CAPA - Centre for Aviation, Head of Research, Simon Elsegood

Panel:

Air Caledonie, Chief Strategy & Operations Officer, Philippe Busson

Aircalin, Executive Manager to CEO & COO, Yann Genay

Air Niugini, CEO, Gary Seddon

12:20-12:40

Airport Terminal Design -The future is now

The next generation of airports are designed to be resilient and futureproof to address growth, the evolving passenger experience and at the same time create a sense of place and be sustainable. Through an exposition of several of Foster and Partners airport terminal design projects from Marseille to Panama to Phenom Penh, Poland to Riyadh, Antoinette will show how these objectives are delivered through design, planning, the integration of technology to redefine the entire travel experience.

Foster & Partners, Senior Partner, Antoinette Erickson

12:40-13:20

Shaping the Future of Australian Airports: Innovation, Sustainability, and Connectivity

As Australia's aviation industry evolves, airports are playing a pivotal role in driving the sector's future. This panel will delve into the critical issues shaping Australian airports, from enhancing operational efficiency to meeting the demands of growing passenger numbers.

Discussions will focus on the adoption of innovative technologies to improve the passenger experience, the push for sustainability in airport infrastructure, and how airports are preparing for the challenges of increased air travel while maintaining safety and security. Experts will also examine the role of Australian airports in fostering greater connectivity, both domestically and internationally, and how strategic planning can support economic growth and resilience in the face of global challenges.

Moderator: Airport Development Group, Non-Executive Director, Merren McArthur

Panel:

Australian Airports Association, CEO, Simon Westaway

Brisbane Airport, CEO, Gert-Jan de Graaff

Cairns Airport, COO, Garry Porter

Melbourne Airport, Chief of Aviation, Jim Parashos

Western Sydney International Airport, CEO, Simon Hickey

13:20-13:25

Chairperson's wrap up

13:25-14:30

Closing Lunch & Networking