Geneva – International Air Transport Association (IATA) Director General and CEO Giovanni Bisignani announced that Singapore will host the International Air Transport Association's 60th Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit (WATS-AGM) 6-8 June 2004. "We are pleased to bring our flagship WATS-AGM event to Singapore for the first time. The Singapore Government's support for a healthy aviation industry has impacted the industry globally and made Singapore one of the world's strongest air hubs. It a natural location for the leaders of global aviation to discuss the most pressing issues facing our industry at this most critical time in our history," said Bisignani.

WATS-AGM attracts over 700 of the aviation industry's top leaders, including airlines, manufacturers, international organizations and governmental bodies. Delegates will debate the industry's major priorities including cost reduction, liberalization and financial viability.

Singapore has taken a strong lead in industry issues as wide-ranging as liberalization and SARS. "We thank the Government for its strong support of IATA and the WATS-AGM. With Singapore Airlines as our host airline, we look forward to welcoming the representative of IATA's 275 member airlines to the Lion City for what will no doubt be our most successful gathering ever," said an enthusiastic Bisignani.

For more information, please contact:
IATA Corporate Communications
Tel +41 22 770 2967
email: corpcomms@iata.org

Editor's notes:

  • Recent host cities of IATA WATS-AGMs are: Washington, DC, USA (2003), Shanghai, PRC (2002), Madrid, Spain (2001), Sydney, Australia (2000), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (1999).
  • IATA's regional headquarters for Asia Pacific is located in Singapore.
  • This event is open to registered media. Information on registration will be forthcoming in early 2004