Renowned panelists in the first panel discussion at the 20th World Routes Development Forum, which was held in Chicago on September 21, concluded that the global aviation industry is currently facing 5 critical challenges.
As per the results of live polling moderated by BBC World News presenter, Aaron Heslehurst, the delegates regarded infrastructure as the most critical challenge, with aviation profitability, safety/security, taxation and oil price stability being the other 4.
At the start of the session, the issue of safety and security was discussed, particularly in context of the recent incidents of MH17 and MH370. Managing director of Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), Datuk Badlisham Ghazali appreciated the actions taken by the ICAO and other bodies in order to improve aviation safety, however, he emphasized on the need of enhanced visibility from global aviation bodies regarding the industrial developments aimed at increasing safety. Referring to MH17 tragedy, he said, “The industry needs to move forward in more visible way. Response has not been as visible as what I had hoped for.”
The issue of aircrafts flying over conflict area in eastern Ukraine was also brought up during the discussion. Thomas Windmuller, SVP airports, passenger and cargo services at IATA, asked why some airlines had the vital information not to fly while the others were not aware.
Profitability was another point of discussion in the forum and according to Windmuller, “We are in a period of sustained growth in volume, but not necessarily profitability. The number of airlines that recover their capital cost is very small… The problem is not just airlines, it is aviation. There are very few parts and components that are making big money. These include airports, and air navigation services, who do not make a profit, and do not cover their long-term capital costs.”
The delegate voting regarded Infrastructure challenges as the most serious issue being faced by the aviation industry today. The current investment in aviation infrastructure development projects vary a great deal from country to country. In some countries like China, big investments are being made for infrastructure development while in some other countries this trend is non-existent.
Trey Urbahn, the chief strategy officer of Azul Brazilian Airlines, said that the most pressing issue being faced by Brazilian aviation industry today is taxation. Giving example of Azul Brazilian Airlines, he said that 36% of the company’s profit go on taxes and that the company is working with the government to address this serious issue. He suggested that the taxation garnered should be re-invested for infrastructure development.
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In July, a smoking laptop in a passenger’s bag led to the evacuation of a plane awaiting takeoff. Last year, a flight made an emergency landing in Jacksonville, Florida, after a battery caught fire in an overhead bin.
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In 1967, the CIA’s A-12 “Oxcart” spy plane, a predecessor to the SR-71 Blackbird, flew high-risk reconnaissance missions over Vietnam.
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Honolulu EMS said that the flight attendants had shown symptoms of “nausea and disturbed coordination” from the smell, local media reported.
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Bill Reeves has never told the full story of his 43-hour struggle to survive in the Colorado mountains.
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When the athlete boarded the flight, she was surprised to find that someone was already sitting in the seat she paid for.
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DULLES, Va. (DC News Now) –People from across the DMV gathered at Dulles International Airport on Saturday, raising $580,000 for the Special Olympics in the annual Dulles Day Plane Pull. The …
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The Yellowstone County Detention Facility “Mile High Cell Block Five” team competes in the 2024 East Plane Pull fundraiser for Special Olympics Montana at the Billings Airport. Teams competed to
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The plane, a type of experimental aircraft that resembled an extensively modified Piper PA-12, crashed on a road near Finger Lake on Saturday morning, the NTSB’s Alaska chief said.
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BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport reports a minor plane crash at the airport on Saturday. The crash happened off the end of the general aviation runway and involved a small single-engine plane.
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Later this month, a unique event in South St. Paul will challenge teams to pull a World War II bomber and raise money for Minnesota veterans.
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Investigators looking into the cause of a fatal plane crash last month near McGrath have recovered the wreckage and will soon begin examining it for evidence of mechanical problems.
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Two people have escaped serious injury following a plane crash that happened on a golf course outside of Centennial Airport in the Denver, Colorado area.
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Heart Aerospace unveils its first full-scale demostrator hybrid-electric aircraft, 30-seat aircraft can fly 200km on battery, first flight in 2025.
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Google Flights released its 2024 travel trends, including the best time to buy plane tickets for fall and holiday travel.
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The baseball star died after flying on a poorly-maintained and overloaded DC-7 freighter.
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COTTONWOOD — Marilyn Benkendorf was reading the Bible and getting ready to go to church when an airplane crashed into her yard on Spur Drive near the airport on early
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Owen Renaud graduated from South Hamilton High last spring. On Friday, his loved ones, close friends and community members came together to honor him.
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