CAPA Australia Pacific Aviation Summit

Qantas Airways, CEO, Alan Joyce

AirAsia X is launching several new destinations in 2016 and adding capacity to several existing destinations. AirAsia X Head of Commercial Arik De discusses how some of the new markets are performing, including Auckland and Tehran. He also talks about the possibility of further growth in Australia, the launch of anticipated services to the US, the group’s fleet plan, partnership options and the outlook for its two overseas affiliates.

Hong Kong Airlines assistant commercial director Michael Burke discusses the evolution of Hong Kong Airlines' Australian network, and what is next now that parent owner HNA bought into Virgin Australia. Service to Auckland is also being added.

Tigerair Australia, CEO, Rob Sharp

Moderator: Web in Travel, Editor & Founder, Yeoh Siew Hoon Panel Members:

• Booking.com, Director Strategic Partnerships, Asia Pacific, David Peller
• Expedia, Vice President Transport APAC, James Marshall
• Skyscanner, Commercial Director APAC, Paul Whiteway
• Travelport, Global Head of Product & Marketing, Air Commerce, Ian Heywood
• Venture Republic/Travel.jp, Co-Founder and CEO, Kei Shibata

Nok Air CEO Patee Sarasin discusses plans for expanding the international network, including in China, India and Myanmar. He also talks about the new 737 MAX 8 fleet, which Nok is slated to start receiving in 2018. In the meantime Nok plans to take delivery of more 737-800s while sister medium/long-haul LCC NokScoot is pursuing significant expansion of its 777 fleet.

Tigerair Australia CEO Rob Sharp discusses how the LCC’s first international routes have performed since it entered the Bali market in Mar-2016. He also talks about the plans for transitioning Tigerair Australia’s fleet from A320s to 737-800s and where Tigerair fits in as a brand under the Virgin Australia Group.

Winnipeg Airports Authority President and CEO Barry Rempel discusses new service from Canadian ULCC NewLeaf Travel, the debut of WestJet’s flights to London Gatwick and the airport’s aspirations for additional long haul service.

Mario Diaz, director of aviation for the Houston Airport System discusses how the diversity of airlines serving the Houston metro region have helped to offset weakness in corporate travel due to the oil sector slump. Ten new international airlines have added service to Houston during the last three to five years.

PNG Air, formerly known as Airlines PNG, completed a rebranding exercise in late 2015 coinciding with the delivery of its first ATR 72-600. PNG Air CEO Muralee Siva explains what the rebranding has achieved and how passengers have responded to the new brand, fleet and product. He also talks about the operational improvements generated from the fleet renewal project, the schedule for replacing PNG Air’s remaining Dash 8s, domestic market conditions in Papua New Guinea and plans for the resumption of international services.

Queensland Airports CEO Chris Mills discusses the growth it is experiencing across its portfolio of four airports. A major expansion project at Gold Coast is underway to cope with the rapid growth as well as smaller projects at Townsville and Mount Isa. Gold Coast traffic has surpassed 6 million annual passengers, above the airport’s designed capacity. Queensland Airports expects further growth with new international route announcements likely in the coming months.

Is there a need for airports to rebalance their view of the ultimate customer - the airline or the end traveller – and ultimately to what extent should other stakeholders be allowed to drive this change? Brisbane Airport Corporation, CEO & Managing Director, Julieanne Alroe

Distribution – Marketing – Technology Technology is changing customer behaviour. At the same time, it is also empowering airlines to innovate and do things differently. But are airlines really keeping pace with digital innovation taking place in other sectors?

• This track, curated by Yeoh Siew Hoon, Editor & Founder, WIT (Web In Travel) will look at the disruption taking place in airline distribution, marketing and technology. It will examine big picture trends that are driving change in customer behaviour as well as delve into best practices and techniques being adopted by some airlines and tech providers.
• Airline Cloud 9 will answer the question: How do you lead in Metasearch, Booking, conversion and monetising data?

Lion Group safety director Captain Jose Fernandez discusses the plans and process for securing IOSA certification for airlines in the Lion Group portfolio. Thai Lion Air was the first Lion Group airline to become IOSA registered, in 2015, and the group expects its other four airline subsidiaries or affiliates to be IOSA certified by end of 2016. Capt Fernandez also talks about recent removal from the EU blacklist of Indonesia’s Lion Air and the expectations for also removing Indonesian regional subsidiary Wings Air. Meanwhile the Lion Group is now working to secure Australia CASA approval for Indonesian full service subsidiary Batik Air. The group’s Malaysian affiliate, Malindo Air, already secured CASA approval in 2015, enabling it to launch services to Perth.

Sydney Airport's international traffic was up 10% in the first seven months of 2016, representing a significant acceleration over the 4% growth rate from 2015. Over the last year Sydney Airport attracted seven new airlines with new international routes. Sydney Airport executive director aviation services Shelley Roberts discusses opportunities for further international growth. The airport expects further growth to China, where it now has 10 links, and the Americas. It is also working with Southeast Asian airlines to add frequencies and up-gauge existing flights. Ms Roberts also discusses the future role of the new West Sydney Airport, which will be constructed at Badgerys Creek, and initiatives to improve Sydney Airport's level of service.

Sunshine Coast Airport passenger traffic surged by 13% in the fiscal year ending Jun-2016 to nearly 1 million passengers. Growth was driven by Qantas’ resumption of services at Sunshine Coast and more capacity from Auckland on Air New Zealand, the airport’s only international route. Qantas re-launched Sydney-Sunshine Coast on Dec-2015 and recently announced plans to re-launch Melbourne-Sunshine Coast from Dec-2016. The new Qantas service to Melbourne and a new route to Adelaide by Jetstar that commences Sep-2016 should drive further growth at Sunshine Coast in the new fiscal year. Sunshine Coast Airport General Manager Peter Pallot discusses the surge in traffic, the growth in the region’s economy and tourism sector along with the impact of the new routes. Mr Pallot also discusses airport privatisation plans and the new runway project, which will enable Sunshine Coast to start handling international flights from Asia.