This week, IATA’s 74th Annual General Meeting took place in Sydney, Australia and more than 1,000 leaders gathered together to hear about new innovations and look at ongoing challenges facing the airline industry. Some of the key topics discussed at this year’s meeting included airport privatization, protectionist barrier reform, and how data and connectivity continue to optimize the passenger experience.
Here are some of the top Tweet takeaways from the meeting capturing important moments from the event:
As mentioned, many aviation experts had a lot to say about the concept of privatized airports and the stark advantages and disadvantages that come with that territory, including potentially higher costs for airlines. IATA urged caution among airport decision makers when considering this approach.
Airlines caution govts on #airport privatization; informed decision-making needed with focus on long-term economic & social benefits. #IATAAGM https://t.co/UmkYre5sLO pic.twitter.com/UeBVMgUSah
— IATA (@IATA) June 5, 2018
An “in between” private and public investment solution is needed for improving airport infrastructure. #IATAAGM pic.twitter.com/q0hFuWpoo1
— Hernán Rincón CEO AV (@HernanRAvianca) June 4, 2018
IATA’s view on airport privatization is clear. It worked for airlines (1/3 lower cost to consumers in recent years) but it won’t be as easy with airports! #IATAAGM pic.twitter.com/bDoMlVSbvW
— Torbjorn Karlsson (@torbjorngk) June 4, 2018
Airline industry experts spoke up about the immense economic and cultural benefits that result from more open international travel and minimizing protectionist barriers, but understandably, some might feel this could lead to passenger data vulnerabilities. To address potential hesitation with this stance, IATA shared their Open Borders Strategy with attendees.
CEO of @WTTC @GGuevaraM w/ DG Hololei – #Aviation makes world smaller, connects people & businesses and boosts tourism. Protectionism & artificial barriers are bad practices and we must do all to open up the world more. #IATAAGM pic.twitter.com/mueOdUqlXl
— EU Transport (@Transport_EU) June 5, 2018
.@Qantas CEO Alan Joyce cites recent free trade with #Japan as good example of how removing barriers of trade can unlock economic prosperity #IATAAGM pic.twitter.com/tsLVlJJBlL
— IATA (@IATA) June 4, 2018
IATA called on governments to intensify efforts to spread the economic and social benefits of aviation by removing onerous barriers to the free movement of people across borders #IATAAGM
— emmie abadilla (@EmmieAbadilla) June 5, 2018
Easing the visa and security process depends on nations’ willingness to share data. That gets touchy in many countries given privacy concerns. But linked trusted traveler programs are compelling in many ways. #paxex #iataagm pic.twitter.com/ToEuCg1Wpw
— Seth Miller (@WandrMe) June 4, 2018
Another main focal point at the IATA Annual General Meeting was improving #PaxEx (or passenger experience) through improved connectivity and smarter airline data usage. Thought leaders across the industry know that leveraging their data more strategically can unlock many doors for creating smoother travel experiences for passengers.
Without development of new technology we will see major [throughput] challenges as numbers of pax grow – H. Hololei @Transport_EU #IATAAGM pic.twitter.com/ta86wJgKqR
— IATA (@IATA) June 4, 2018
Passenger experience is at the heart of the air transport industry, make the most out of your data with Logbook by @deolan #passengerexperience #avgeek #logbook #IATAAGM pic.twitter.com/cxLv32LwXM https://t.co/Yz5tuGXAUm
— Deolan (@deolan) June 4, 2018
.@PATA_HQ CEO Mario Hardy pushes #IATAAGM audience on how aviation data & partnerships can be used to unlock opps & address issues critical to future T&T growth. @IATA @UNWTO @WTTC @icao pic.twitter.com/AWxSoCAbqX
— ANITA MENDIRATTA (@AnitaMendiratta) June 4, 2018
We look forward to next year’s event in Seoul and the resulting thought-provoking conversations in the aviation space!
75th #IATAAGM will take place on 2-4 June 2019 in Seoul. First ever IATA AGM in South Korea will be hosted by @KoreanAir_KE. https://t.co/xRktegKYMs pic.twitter.com/T4YYQUkZyV
— IATA (@IATA) June 5, 2018
