Bangkok--2 Oct--Asia Pacific Aviation
Andrew Cowen, CEO of Sama, a proposed Saudi Arabian low cost airline told delegates at the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation's Third Annual India and Middle East LCC Symposium that the Middle East and GCC is one of the greatest opportunities in aviation. Mr Cowen believes the unique demographic situation in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Council of Cooperation countries provide a great opportunity.
"For my money, Saudi Arabia and the GCC are the biggest opportunities in the world", stated Mr Cowen ona panel of Middle East CEOs.
Jack Romero, CEO of Rak Airways, a proposed carrier from the Emirate of RAS al Khaimah in the UAE, echoed the sentiments of tremendeous opportunities coupled with unique challenges. Mr Romero told the Third annual CAPA LCC Symposium, being held today and tomorrow in Mumbai, about the challenge of the regulatory environment, where accessing traffic rights will be an key determinant of profitability and success.
Rak Airways, which raised USD233 million in start-up capital, plans to seek cooperation agreements with carriers in the region as a way of dealing with this challenge of tapping the booming growth. Initially planned as an LCC, RAK Airways now plans to offer a two-class service and differentiate itself with a strong brand as a network carrier.
The Third Annual India and Middle East LCC Symposium in Mumbai continues today. Featuring CEOs from full service and low cost carriers from across the region, as well as senior government and industry representatives, the Symposium is covering the challenges and opportunities facing the sector. Indian aviation is undergoing unprecedented growth, but profitability is being undermined through intense competition stimulated by new airline entry and significant new capacity being added by incumbents. Programme highlights today include:
Air Deccan: Warwick Brady, COO
Jet Airways: Wolfgang Prock-Schauer, CEO
Rak Airways: Jack Romero, CEO
Sama: Andrew Cowen, CEO
SpiceJet: Ajay Singh, Director
Viva Macau: Andrew Pyne, CEO
Ryanair: Patrick Murphy, Former Chairman
Ohio State University: Prof Nawal Taneja, Aviation Department Chairman
IATA: Julian Carr, Manager New Product Development
Landor Associates: Bill Larsen, Director
PhocusWright: Ram Badrinathan, Asia Pacific Analyst
Ginger Hotels: Prabhat Pani, CEO
CAPA Consulting: Andrew Miller, CEO
Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation: Peter Harbison, Executive Chairman
Key details about India & Middle East LCC Symposium 2006:
Date: 29/30 September 2006
Venue: Grand Hyatt Mumbai
Attendance:
250+ Delegates
25+ High-level Speakers
50+ Global Media Representatives
Media Exposure: Global newswire press coverage
Broadsheet newspaper coverage on three continents
Global television coverage: Over 50 website listings and advertising
Live web streaming of interviews to over 500,000 people
The event will also feature an extensive supplier exhibition and enhanced sponsor offering, with over 10+ hours of networking time.
For more information, please visit: http://www.centreforaviation.com
For sponsorship details, please contact Misty Cambray, Marketing Manager [email protected] Ph: +612 9241 3200.