The first major Air Transport Forum to take place since 11 September, items on the conference agenda will include issues that have arisen as a direct result of the terrorist attacks and the current situation in Afghanistan. These include the current hikes in war risk insurance premiums; new or proposed security legislation and costs, such as the European Commission`s proposals to amend the existing slot allocation regulations.
However, while some of the world` s major airlines are suffering serious financial troubles, the situation for regional carriers may be less critical. Speaking at a Media Breakfast on Thursday morning, Mike Ambrose, Director General, Era cited the flexibility of the regional operators as their most valuable asset in the current climate.
It would be foolish to say that our member airlines will not be affected by the current situation, but all is not doom and gloom. Regional airlines are more flexible have lower operating costs and operate smaller aircraft. These factors, coupled with the fighting spirit for which this sector is renowned, will allow our member airlines to react to the needs of the travelling public.
The conference session on the Thursday afternoon will consist of a panel discussion entitled People, Planes, Profits, Pollution – Challenging the Myths. The Moderator of the Panel will be Geoffrey Lipman, Executive Chairman of Green Globe 21, a worldwide sustainable tourism certification system. Other members of the panel include Frederic Sorensen, Former Head of Air Transport Policy, DG Transport and Energy, European Commission; Raymond Benjamin, Executive Secretary of the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC), Fritz Feiti, Consultant and Past President of ERA and Martin van Pernis, Vice – Chairman, Siemens Nederland BV.
The Friday morning ERA Work Groups reviewed also took the format of a question and answer discussion, led by Mr Olaf Dlugi, President of Augsburg Airways and ERA Board Member. Each of ERA`s Work Group Chairmen was asked questions concerning their respective areas and the audience invited to pose their own questions to the panellists, on the subjects of: Air Safety, Infrastructure & Environment, Air Transport Policy, Operations and Maintenance.
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