The 19th Annual Phoenix International Aviation Symposium began this week at t
he Phoenician Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona with a full slate of sessions on Thursday and Friday featuring aviation experts from around the globe. Billed as "the most exclusive gathering in the industry" sessions held on Thursday included panel discussions on successful business models emerging from the recession, what will drive growth for the airlines over the next decade, alliances, how carriers forecast changing economic conditions, open skies and "All Things Regulatory."
Throughout the symposium attendees were able to participate in live polls answering questions discussed by panel members. In regard to NextGen the questio
n was asked; In how many years will we experience substantial measurable improvements in airline operation efficiency as a result of NextGen?" There was an audible reaction to the results in which 46% of attendees responded that it would take more than 10 years to see any measurable results.
Only seven percent of responders felt that the airlines would see results in the next three years, ten percent responded in the next five years and 38 percent in the next ten years.
Friday’s sessions included panel discussions on airport planning for the future, labor, finance and a executive panel with CEO’s from
Qatar, jetBlue, Republic, US and British Airways. The keynote luncheon speaker was David Grizzle, Chief Counsel with the FAA.
(Top Photo – Will Ris, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs, AMR Corp. & American Airlines, left moderates a panel on international issues. Panelists include, left to right, John Byerly, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Affairs, US Department of State, Daniel Calleja, Director for Air Transport, European Union, Susan Kurland, Assistant Secretary for Aviation & International Affairs, U.S. Department of Transportation, Andrew Parker, Senior Vice President, Public, International & Industry Affairs, & the Environment, Emirates Airline, and Mark Schwab, Senior Vice President, Alliances, International and Regulatory Affairs, United Airlines. Coffee breaks were held on the East Lawn of the Phoenician Resort. Lower photo includes moderator Bob Hazel, Partner with Oliver Wyman, panel members from left, Gina Marie Lindsey, Executive Director, Los Angeles World Airports, Robert Montgomery, Vice President, Properties, Southwest Airlines Co., Margaret McKeough, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and Amit Rikhy, Vice President, Business Development, Vancouver Airport Services. Luncheon speaker David Grizzle, Chief Counsel, FAA. Photos by Kim Stevens)
