(Singapore) Over 600 delegates are arriving in Singapore for the biggest event on the aviation industry's calendar—the IATA Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit.
"The past three years tested the mettle of our industry as never before. While record high fuel prices challenge our profitability it is time to put our efforts towards rebuilding the industry," said Bisignani. "But it is no use rebuilding a structure that we know is weak. At this AGM we need to achieve consensus on a stronger, streamlined and lower-cost industry structure. And we need to convince our industry stakeholders of the need for change," said Bisignani.
Formal meetings begin on the morning of Monday 7 June with an opening speech by His Excellency GOH Chok Tong, Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore. Bisignani will deliver a speech outlining the industry's "Agenda for Change." Awards to airports and air navigation service providers excelling at providing value for money and satisfying their airline customers will also take place Monday morning. The rest of the conference will be highlighted by three panel discussions of industry leaders.
"It is appropriate that we meet in Singapore at this critical time in our industry's history. Singapore is a leader of the aviation industry. Singapore's liberal aviation policy and its industry leading airline and airport provide an excellent backdrop for discussing our many challenges. I am confident that this AGM, more than any other, will result in a new direction for the industry," said Bisignani.
Notes for Editors
1. Full details on the program, press briefings and media registration is available at www.iata.org.
2. The 2003 IATA Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit was held in Washington, DC.
3. The last time IATA's Annual General Meeting was held in Singapore was 1976.
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