CAPA Qatar Aviation Aeropolitical and Regulatory Summit

Doha, Qatar

5-6 Feb 2019

Tuesday 5 February 2019

08:00	Registration, Networking & Coffee
09:00	Chairman’s Welcome CAPA – Centre for Aviation, Executive Chairman, Peter Harbison
09:10	Host Welcome: Qatar Airways’ flightpath to the future Since June 2017 Qatar Airways has had to operate under the imposition of an air space blockade by neighbouring countries, forcing the airline to operate longer routes and to seek new markets to replace highly profitable established markets in the blockading countries. We ask GCEO, H.E. Akbar Al Baker, how Qatar Airways is dealing with these challenges, his plan for returning the airline back to profitability in particular in the face of rising fuel prices and the potential for the blockade to continue into the long term Qatar Airways, Group CEO, H.E. Akbar Al Baker
09:30	Keynote IATA, Director General & CEO, Alexandre de Juniac [Speech]
09:55	Keynote: European Commission DG MOVE European Commission, Director General Mobility and Transport, Henrik Hololei
10:05	CAPA global regulatory overview: open skies and level playing fields CAPA – Centre for Aviation, Executive Chairman, Peter Harbison [Download Presentation]
10:30	Coffee Break and Networking
11:20	Europe’s aviation relations with the world: towards multilateralism The EU has played a vital leadership role in aviation in Europe and the North Atlantic and, increasingly, globally. In recent years the face of the airline industry has changed rapidly, with new entrants, new airline types and new aircraft all contributing to a very different environment compared with 20 years ago. The panel will review the extent and relevance of these developments and discuss where the industry – and its regulation – might be heading. The evolution of European Union Comprehensive Air Transport Agreements and Europe’s parallel/multilateral agreements Parallel Regulations: revising Regulation 868/2004 Ambitions, challenges and milestones Ownership and control limitations – encouraging investment into airlines and infrastructure Economic benefits (Passenger and Cargo) of liberalisation and deregulation EU-Middle East relations: open markets or limited flights? Moderator: LVP Law/University of Gent, Attorney at Law/Professor Aviation Law, Mia Wouters Panel: AACO, Secretary General, Abdul Wahab Teffaha European Commission, Director General Mobility and Transport, Henrik Hololei International Institute of Air and Space Law, Director, Pablo Mendes de Leon [Download Presentation] Keystone Law, Solicitor, Philippe Ruttley [Download Presentation]
12:15	Post-Brexit: All change – or no change? Britain’s decision to exit the EU came as a surprise to most, including those who supported it. As reality strikes, there remain many complex bilateral and multilateral arrangements to unravel and to remake. How the scenario unfolds will depend on the renewed intentions of all those involved. The aviation world will be watching, as ancient norms are reviewed in the light of the 21st century’s evolving global marketplace. How will open skies in the EU-UK market and across the trans-Atlantic evolve as Brexit comes into effect? Are the region’s airlines, including new entrant disruptors who have been able to flourish due to advanced aircraft technology and the pre-Brexit liberalised environment, at risk of operating under more restrictive norms? Could Brexit provide a catalyst to reform the entire bilateral system that underpins aviation governance? Moderator: Croon Callaghan Aviation Consulting, Partner, Jim Callaghan [Download Presentation] Panel: Aviation Strategy & Concepts, Managing Director, Ulrich Schulte-Strathaus Holland & Knight, Solicitor, Robert Ricketts Odi-sé Avocats, Partner, Matthieu de Varax
13:00	Lunch and Networking
14:00	Where to, North America’s approach to open skies? As the originator of the swathe of open skies agreements in the 1990s and the early part of the 21st century, the US is a vital part of the modern liberal bilateral system. Now Brexit prompts a vital review of the North Atlantic multilateral agreement, while the US is seemingly wavering in its commitment to the principles of a li laissez-faire international marketplace. Meanwhile Canada remains committed to its (dark) Blue Skies protectionist policy. In the wake of the US Big 3’s recent onslaught on the Gulf carriers, there is still a lack of clarity over the US position on liberal market access, a question made more poignant by the Trump administration’s attacks on free trade generally. However, some comfort can be drawn from Washington’s apparent reluctance to intervene in a protective way. How does the industry navigate the crossroad between trade and travel? Does the US Big Three vs ME3 white paper still have a role to play in the future of the region? Ownership and control limitations – encouraging investment into airlines and infrastructure Should antitrust immunity be expanded or contracted? Moderator: CAPA – Centre for Aviation, Executive Chairman, Peter Harbison Panel: FedEx Express, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Rush O’Keefe Holland & Knight, Partner, Anita Mosner JetBlue Airways, Senior Vice President Government Affairs & Associate General Counsel, Robert Land
15:00	Asia’s Emerging Markets: How have Open Skies policies resulted in traffic expansion? Skyscanner, Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships, Hugh Aitken
15:20	Coffee Break and Networking
15:50	How does the aviation industry ensure congestion doesn’t limit growth? Unlocking the value of slots at congested airports Airport slots undoubtedly have a “value”, especially at congested facilities. It is sometimes argued that unlocking that value can lead to more commercial outcomes than are achieved in most cases today. Yet there is no commonality in the way airports and governments treat slot “ownership”. With a doubling in passenger figures predicted, and a significant lack of airport capacity to meet these projections, how does the air transport industry continue to support economic growth? The slot process is the backbone to the airline’s operating at the world’s most congested airports, binging certainty and transparency to ensure schedules can be planned, connectivity built and future investment made. But is the process really able to support an industry facing a capacity crises – airport saturation. Airports, airlines, slot coordinators and governments are all stakeholders when ensuring scarce airport capacity is used efficiently. Is it realistic to think these stakeholders can have common objectives that translate in to global policy? If not, what future is there for managing airport capacity that cannot meet demand, to prevent chaos and one that limits growth. Airport slots are an outcome from a lack of capacity to meet demand, does the process for allocating slots ensure aviation can grow? Policy objectives for growth, connectivity and consumer benefits are key, but is this feasible without large-scale airport expansion? How should slot policy be regulated and developed? Will radical changes to the slot process really cause widespread disruption? Is this a classic case where the practical realities of the industry do not meld well with economic theory? Moderator: Pittsburgh International Airport, CEO, Christina Cassotis Panel: COHOR, Managing Director, Eric Herbane Heathrow Airport, Chief Strategy Officer, Andrew Macmillan IATA, Manager, Worldwide Airport Slots, Philip Ireland
16:35	Is airport privatisation and corporatisation good for industry and consumers? It is no secret that the airline industry is confronted by a crisis of infrastructure. As passenger traffic has bloomed, well above long term growth rates in recent years, the level of congestion at many of the world’s major airports has seemingly reached tipping point. Governments are rarely prepared to fund new expansion, even where environmental pressures allow it. So, seeking private funding appears to be the solution. But striking a balance between attracting private financing and achieving national economic goals has become a seemingly intractable problem. Positive/negative impacts of airport privatisation Often natural monopolies, will airports always be regarded as a desirable asset? What form should regulation take, in order to strike a balance between national and private interests? What are the alternative ownership models to privatisation? What do governments need to consider when deciding whether airports should be privatised? Taxation: raising revenue for infrastructure vs encouraging connectivity and trade Moderator: Croon Callaghan, Partner Jochem Croon Panel: Broekema Aviation Advisory Services, Owner and Principal Consultant, Gerben Broekema Egis, Middle East & South Asia Aviation Director, Jacques Khoriaty IATA, Director General & CEO, Alexandre de Juniac
17:20	End of Day 1
18:30	Pre-Dinner Drinks (Hosted by Qatar Airways) Location: Al Majlis Foyer
19:00	Gala Dinner (Hosted by Qatar Airways) Location: Al Majlis Hall