Bangkok--3 Jul--Thai Airways Asia Forum 2007 reveals the future of aviation highlighting the great collaboration of Star Alliance’s member and aviation business partners Flg. Off. Apinan Sumanaseni, President of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited together with Star Alliance’s CEO, Mr. Jaan Albrecht, announce the success of hosting the major aviation forum in Bangkok, titled “Asia Forum 2007: The future of Aviation”, with a commitment to step forward in the next decade of Star Alliance member’s collaboration at THAI’s Operation Centre, Suvarnabhumi airport. During the Asia Forum 2007, Mr. Albrecht said that airlines had direct influence to build the future in three important areas — competition, technology and environment. In the area of competition, the alliance’s role was “to contribute to the members’ profitability beyond their individual capabilities”. He also urges decision-makers to keep investing in modern and cost-efficient airports, efficient air traffic management infrastructure and in well trained human resource and highlights that the aviation industry will be strong competition and regional consolidation with global alliance collaboration in the next decade. For technology, the rapid development in information technology offered endless potential to upgrade existing capabilities or initiate changes. With regards the environment, the industry is facing several challenges, such as additional taxes and fees; and tightened security requirements. During the first session of the forum “Aviation: The New Frontiers”, Asia-Pacific becomes the region with the highest growth of air traffic in the world, while China and India are on top of the list in Asia. To support this, Mrs. Zhang Hexiang, Head of the Institute of Economy of Management Research, Aviation Industry Development Research Center of China, claimed that China is the engine of Asia Aviation and she predicted that by 2020, China will be able to compete with the US and European countries. H.E. Gen Surayud Chulanont, Thailand’s Prime Minister presided over the official opening ceremony. From his speech, he said that Thailand will gain a lot of advantages from the Star Alliance’s new members: Air China and Shanghai Airlines who will join Star Alliance by the end of the year. In the session II, the titans of world aviation industry; Boeing, Airbus, Roll Royce, GE Aviation and United Technologies International Operations, discussed on the topic “Aircraft of the 21st Century and Implication on Asia”. The highlight of this session goes to Chief Engineer of Roll Royce, Mr. Martin J. Jones, who shows the new innovation of aircraft; reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The Forum’s last session pointed to the “Challenges for Asia’s Travel and Tourism Industry”. Amadeus’s Global President and CEO, Mr. Jos? Antinto Tazon presents that tourism industry nowadays has grown up and become more and more important with a highlight topic “Technology: The Key to Leadership and Growth”. Mr. Tazon said that Amadeus, an online booking system, offers many advantages: cost less expenses and receives better reaction from customer, to the Amadeus’s member. This is also the way that will increase the business revenue. In the near future, Asia will be the centre of world’s aviation. Amadeus is ready to support Star Alliance’s and other new members to become the one and only in aviation business. THAI’s President, Mr. Sumanaseni added that Bangkok’s newest airport Suvarnabhumi will play a vital role in the future aviation of Asia. The term “Under one roof” will be seen here in a few years with THAI’s hospitality. As part of its 10th anniversary celebration, “Asia Forum 2007: The future of Aviation” has created the next step of collaboration among Star Alliance’s members, high ranking aviation officials, key executives from leading airports, aircraft and engine manufactures, industry bodies and high ranking personnel from the government and tourism sectors. For further information, please contact: Preyanan Mongkolsri Manager, International Public Relations Division Thai Airways International Public Company Limited 89 Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Bangkok 10900 Tel: 02 545 2662 Fax: 02 545 3891 E-mail: [email protected] Alastair Carthew, Director, Corporate Affairs [Asia/Pacific] Star Alliance. Phone: 02 627 3495 [office] 02 627 3499 [fax] 081 750 0448 [cellphone] E-mail: [email protected]