Ambitious ULCC start ups are beginning to make their mark, new partnership arrangements such as the Delta and WestJet JV are set to challenge Air Canada’s share of sixth freedom traffic, and WestJet’s entry into the low cost long haul market is injecting some much needed dynamism to the market.
The CAPA Canada Aviation Summit, the latest addition to the CAPA – Centre for Aviation calendar of global events, attempted to tap into the latest industry issues and developments, challenging leaders of the Canadian aviation industry to reflect on what is needed to drive the industry forward.
The event, hosted at the Fairmont Winnipeg hotel in the vibrant heart of downtown Winnipeg, brought together hundreds of aviation and travel executives from airlines, airports and suppliers to explore relevant issues, as well as the commercial and operational pillars underpinning strategic decision making at local and international carriers.
Here’s full coverage of the panel sessions from the event.
What are the risks and challenges facing Canada and what does it mean for aviation and travel?
Moderator: Gerry Bruno, VP Federal Government Affairs, Vancouver Airport Authority
Panel: Leslie Bruce, President & CEO, Banff & Lake Louise Tourism; Donald Leitch, President & CEO, Business Council of Manitoba; Daniel-Robert Gooch, President, Canadian Airports Council; Dayna Spiring, President & CEO, Economic Development Winnipeg; Howard Eng, President and CEO, Greater Toronto Airports Authority
Has Canada got its aviation access settings right?
Moderator: McGill Institute of Air & Space Law, Professor & Director, Dr Brian Havel
Panel: Air Canada, SVP, Air Canada Express and Government Relations, Ferio Pugliese; National Airlines Council of Canada, President and CEO, Massimo Bergamini; TIACA, Secretary General, Vladimir Zubkov; University of Winnipeg, Associate Professor, David Duval
WestJet, VP Industry, Corporate & Airport Affairs, Mike McNaney
Examining Canada’s aviation infrastructure – can it cope with expected expansion?
Moderator: Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Director, Transportation and Infrastructure, Ryan Greer
Panel: Aéroports de Montréal, President and CEO, Philippe Rainville; CATSA, Director Program Integrity, Benoit Legault; CBSA, Acting Director General, Andrew Lawrence; NAV CANADA, VP, ATS Service Delivery, Trevor Johnson; Vancouver Airport Authority, VP Federal Government Affairs, Gerry Bruno
The growth enablers: technology and equipment
Moderator: InterVISTAS Consulting, President and CEO, Solomon Wong
Panel: IATA, Head Aviation Facilitation, Céline Canu; Skyscanner, Commercial Director, Gavin Harris; The Boeing Company, Senior Manager, Product Marketing, Jill Kelly; Travelport, Commercial Director, Americas. Airline IT & Digital Solutions, Jim Nation
Canada’s domestic and regional aviation outlook
Moderator: ASM, SVP, Aviation Strategy, Lee Lipton
Panel: Canadian North & First Air, President & CEO, Chris Avery; Flair Airlines, CEO, Jim Scott; National Airlines Council of Canada, President and CEO, Massimo Bergamini; Winnipeg Airports Authority, CCO, Pascal Bélanger
Canada’s international aviation outlook - looking south: transborder and beyond
Moderator: Canadian Airports Council, President, Daniel-Robert Gooch
Panel: Air Canada, Senior Director, International Affairs and Facilitation, David Waugh; American Airlines, SVP Revenue Management, Don Casey; United Airlines, Director Domestic Planning and Capacity Forecasting, Mark Weithofer
Canada’s international aviation outlook - looking east: exploring the future of the trans-Atlantic JVs and the rise of the long-haul LCCs
Moderator: Edmonton International Airport, President & CEO, Tom Ruth
Panel: Air Transat, Director Network Planning and Partnerships, Sebastian Ponce; Delta Air Lines, Director Alliances, Justin Bates; Swoop, President, Steven Greenway
Canada’s international aviation outlook - looking west: to Asia
Moderator: CAPA - Centre for Aviation, Senior Analyst, Americas, Lori Ranson
Panel: Air China, VP & GM, North America, Dr. Zhihang Chi; CAPA - Centre for Aviation, Chairman Emeritus, Peter Harbison; VietJet Aviation, Member of Board of Directors, Cuong Chu