NOW
8 March 2017 | Madrid, Spain | IFEMA, Feria de Madrid
#WorldATM
Watch Out for Black Swans: Geopolitical Events When Predicting the Future of ATM
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aulty economic and air-traffic seems toothless to push it through growth forecasts, the ongo- due to the opposition of several ing delay in implementing a member states,” Walsh said. “A sinsingle European sky, a record num- gle European sky has been talked ber of European controller strikes, about since I was a child. But the worldwide geopolitical change, and time for talking is over; we need acunpredictable “black swan” events like 9/11 and Brexit are shaping the future of air traffic management, said two leading industry experts during the World ATM Congress opening session Tuesday morning. Willie Walsh, CEO, International Airlines Group (IAG), and Chair of the International Air Transport Willie Walsh, CEO, IAG, and Chair, IATA, responds Association (IATA), to questions during Session One: Responding to Geopolitical Change and Black Swans. said the ATM industry would do well to emulate airlines’ ability to adapt tion. We need a change of attitude quickly to unexpected events like and a change of culture.” security changes, political instabilWalsh, who started his career as ity, natural disasters, and changing a cadet pilot at age 17 and now runs demographics. the sixth-largest airline company in In particular, this includes finally the world, said IAG has a unique moving forward on a single Europe- structure. As the owner of British an sky. “It’s remained on the starting Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and blocks for over 17 years, and the EU Vueling, IAG operates four independent airline brands that have grown significantly while facing different Exhibition Hall Hours market conditions and opportunities. Hall 9 at IFEMA, Feria de Madrid “How do airlines react so quickly? (North Entrance) Put simply, we always expect the Wednesday, 8 March unexpected,” he said. “But it’s vital 10.00 – 18.00 that airlines are financially robust Thursday, 9 March and able to withstand these shock10.00 – 14.00 waves.” For instance, Walsh said IAG did Conference not take a position on the Brexit vote, but did conclude that the Programme United Kingdom’s succession from Exhibition Hall, End of Aisles the European Union will not have a 200 and 300 significant impact on its business in the long term. However, he said IAG Wednesday, 8 March is seeing short-term changes due 9.15 – 12.30
Commissioner Violeta Bulc kicks off the World ATM Congress 2017 Conference Programme.
European Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc Delivers Keynote
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n its fifth year, the growth of World ATM Congress is evident in a greater presence of world leaders, proving that the show provides the ideal atmosphere for business. Case in point: European Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc delivered a keynote address in yesterday’s Conference Programme, where she treated delegates to a European transportation overview. As Bulc reported, the outlook is brighter than it’s been for a while. “For the first time, all members of the EU (European Union) are experiencing economic growth. The confidence of consumers is improving,” said Bulc. “We can build on that in aviation.” The Commissioner went on to say the EU is experiencing its highest employability in history, which can only lead to new op-
portunities and influence the global economy as a whole. Aviation is one of the most global businesses out there. Key to this, Bulc added, is “connectivity on a global level and efficiency on a domestic level.” “The importance of aviation is growing because the world wants to be connected,” said Bulc, who added that a 10 percent increase in connectivity equates to a one percent increase in GDP. And how does one get there? Through a transport union for global leadership, specifically digitalisation and decarbonisation, said Bulc. Of course, air traffic management (ATM) is a big part of that. “ATM: It’s one of those absolute necessary links; [without it] aviation would have been much less developed and much less in connectivity,” she continued.
Don't Miss! ◆ WiMAX Forum presents AeroMACS 2017. ◆ Last day of Conference Programme. ◆ EUROCONTROL and SWIM Workshops (turn to page 8 for more information)
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