Kuala Lumpur - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that the 65th Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 7-9 June 2009 will feature participation from two important world political leaders. The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib will address delegates as part of the meeting’s formal opening. Singapore’s Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew will hold a special dialogue session with delegates on Monday 8 June.

“The air transport industry is once again meeting in crisis - this time as a result of the global financial meltdown. We are honored that the Prime Minister and the Minister Mentor will provide their insights at this critical time,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

This year's AGM takes place during a deepening global recession that is challenging airlines everywhere. The impact of falling demand leading to plummeting revenues is re-shaping and re-sizing the air transport industry. In this difficult environment, over 500 industry leaders will discuss and debate prospects and strategies to ensure the industry emerges stronger with a focus on safety, security, environment, technology and liberalization.

Confirmed speakers include:

  • Airline CEO Forum: Chiefs of Air Canada parent ACE, Air New Zealand, Etihad and Swiss, as well as Lamberto Dini, Former Italian Prime Minister and current President of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Italian Senate.
  • Managing through the Crisis: CEOs of Jet Airways, JetBlue, SAS and Qantas as well as James Cherry, CEO of Aéroports de Montréal and Chairman of the ACI World Governing Board
  • Environment: CEOs of Cathay Pacific, British Airways, Qatar Airways, CFM International and YM Dato’ Seri Tengku Sainal Adlin, Vice President Emeritus of WWF Malaysia.

The event is being hosted by Malaysia Airlines. The carrier’s CEO Dato’ Sri Idris Jala is a member of the IATA Board of Governors. The last time that this event was hosted in Malaysia was in 1995.

All sessions are open to the media but pre-registration online is required.

Contact:
Corporate Communications
Tel: +41 22 770 2967
Email: corpcomms@iata.org

Notes for editors:

  • IATA (International Air Transport Association) represents some 230 airlines comprising 93% of scheduled international air traffic.