Page 18 - AAA NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017 Online Magazine

FEATURE AAPA REPORT

Airline Congregation

Industry leaders gathered at the 61st AAPA Assembly of Presidents were optimistic about
the overall health of the industry
By Aprajita Anil

tHe AssoCiAtion oF AsiA PACiFiC Pacific aviation industry.” manpower needs will also increase. Close
Airlines’ (AAPA) 61st Assembly of Presidents Out of the global population of seven coordination with governments on all these
returned to Taipei after a span of 14 billion, this year more than four billion fronts will be needed.”
years and the event delivered a valuable passengers are expected to travel by air and a
insight into the challenging dynamics and third of those will be carried by Asian airlines. Emerging Markets
untapped opportunities of Asia’s burgeoning According International Air Transport Speaking about the increasing number of
commercial aviation market. “Arriving a Association (IATA), about half of this growth consumers, he said that emerging markets
few days ago at the very busy Taoyuan in passenger traffic in the next 20 years will are experiencing a rapid growth and the
International Airport was a reminder of the be in the Asia Pacific region. “Such growth numbers far exceeds that of the developing
sheer numbers of people travelling by air is exciting but comes with its own share of market. This growth trend is going to
these days. We all welcome this because challenges,” added Herdman. “To move such continue, leading to a transformation of the
more passengers mean more business large numbers of travelers efficiently, we aviation industry as well as other industries.
for airlines. More importantly, this scene, need to put in place the necessary facilities Further highlighting the exponential growth
repeated in countless other airports around and infrastructure capacity. At the same time, seen by the Asian market. Herdman listed
the region, which underscores the important we must constantly think of new ways to move world’s 10 busiest international/regional
contribution of the aviation industry to the people in the most efficient, secure and cost routes. With an exception of the Dublin-
economy,” said AAPA director general Andrew effective manner, whilst smoothing the flow London route (ranked at no. 3) and the
Herdman in his opening address at the event, and improving the overall travel experience. London-New York route (ranked at no. 7) the
while adding, “The vibrant airline sector here, Additionally, we should be looking at how we remaining 8 routes are from Asia. He added,
booming tourism levels and rapidly growing can reduce barriers to cross border travel, “The key point is that on all Asian routes, there
passenger traffic, reflects the energy and including making use of new technologies. are at least 5 airlines competing. In some
long-term optimism that surrounds the Asia The expansion of the sector means that places, many more.” The story was similar for
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