CAPA TV

Nick joined Virgin Australia in September 2021. Prior to this, Nick held several executive positions at Jetstar, including Co-CEO and Executive Director (Jetstar Japan) and Executive Manager of Customer and Strategy. He also directed the launch of Jetstar in Hong Kong. Before joining Jetstar, Nick was at The Boston Consulting Group, working in the Sydney and Dubai offices, for nearly eight years. He was a management consultant, providing advice to a range of international clients, including several airlines.

Moderator: Brisbane Airport, Executive General Manager Communications and Public Affairs, Rachel Crowley

Panel

• Brisbane City Council, Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Adrian Schrinner
  
• Queensland Government, Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government & Planning, Hon Steven Miles MP

COVID-19 produced the greatest shift in international traveller behaviour since the start of the Jet Age. The South Pacific has been at the forefront of those changes. Travellers are increasingly embracing technology as part of the travel process. They are also more aware of the impacts of their travel and are increasingly seeking out unique cultural, religious and social encounters, often replacing urban tourism with a broader mix of destinations. At the same time, business travel remains well below pre-pandemic levels, with technology serving as a notable substitute, while luxury travel is reaching new highs.

• How do regional travel and tourism providers pivot to accommodate these changing traveller preferences?

• With the Asia Pacific now largely reopen to international travel, how have the dynamics of the inbound travel market changed for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific?

• What sort of new destinations are being marketed to outbound travellers from Australasia?

• What does the changing travel mix mean for airlines and other air travel partners?

• How do the tourism-dependent economies of the South Pacific chart a path to greater travel sustainability and resilience in the face of future crises?

Moderator: CAPA - Centre for Aviation, Head of Research, Simon Elsegood

Panel

• Air Tahiti, CEO, Manate Vivish
• Air Caledonie, COO, Phil Busson
• Fiji Airways, Chief Strategy Officer, John Checketts
• Nauru Airlines, CEO, Brett Gebers

Air cargo went through a boom during the pandemic, triggered by enforced savings and ecommerce spending, but saw activity slowing through 2022. The outlook for the sector in 2023 is mixed: China is returning to normal and supply chains continue to stabilise, but at some time capacity continues to expand ahead of demand, yields are down and the macroeconomic outlook for much of the world remains dark.

• With trade volumes still buoyant through the South Pacific, how are regional airlines taking advantage of the current situation in the cargo market?

• How will the resumption of international flying by Chinese airlines into Australia and New Zealand affect the regional cargo market?

• What will be the impact on air freight of falling ocean shipping prices and improved timeliness?

• What role will autonomous aircraft, drones and other innovations have in the near future?

Moderator:  The University of Sydney Business School, Chair in Transport and Supply Chain Management, Deputy Director, Professor Rico Merkert

Panel

• Macrolytics, CEO & Founder, Peter Negline
• Cathay Pacific, General Manager Cargo Service Delivery & Regional General Manager, South West Pacific (designate), Frosti Lau
• AMSL Aero, Commercial Officer, David Orszaczky
• Team Global Express, Executive General Manager - Priority, Joshua Peacock

With the addition of Rex as a jet operator and the recent launch of Bonza, Australia now has four airline groups operating narrowbody aircraft in the domestic market. New entrants and LCC growth in the Australia market has historically driven down airfares, triggered network expansion and supported smaller destinations and secondary airports. The result has been significant benefits for travellers, often at the expense of airlines’ bottom lines. 

• How is Australia’s domestic market performing?

• What impact has new entrants on the market had on the overall competitiveness of the industry?

• Is there space for airlines like Rex and Bonza to pursue further growth on different routes?

• With cost of living and inflation a major concern for consumers, will new market entry and lower airfares help to sustain the recovery in leisure Australia?

• What sort of competitive responses will be seen from incumbents Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia?

Moderator:  Aviation Week, Senior Air Transport Editor, Adrian Schofield

Panel

• 777 Partners, CEO, Manish Raniga
• Brisbane Airport, Executive General Manager Aviation, Ryan Both
• Queensland Airports, CCO, Adam Rowe

The resurgence in travel in the last year has brought with it unprecedented disruptions. The air travel industry has been working hard to cope with further growth and changing traveller expectations and requirements. Many in the industry are looking to technology providers to assist with solving issues and help drive improved traveller confidence.

• What is the new traveller requesting of the industry?

• How does the sector come together to ensure improved customer satisfaction?

• What is the role of airlines, airports and suppliers?

• What technology exists to help support airlines and airports?

• How is the distribution landscape shifting as airlines, their customers and suppliers map out new relationships?

• As passengers continue to seek more personalised and flexible content, what digital strategies are being embraced to meet this demand shift?

Moderator: Pangiam, President, Steven Greenway

Panel

• Avalon Airport, CEO, Tony Brun
• Japan Airlines, Vice President Asia, India and Oceania, Richard Engelmann
• Skyscanner, Vice President Strategic Relations & Development, Hugh Aitken
• SITA, Head of Sydney Border Practice, Paul Cross

The industrial relations landscape for aviation in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Island states continues to evolve. Aviation businesses continue to face a workforce shortage and have responded by increasing wages, enhancing training and committing more resources to workforce development. At the same time, aviation unions are increasingly dissatisfied with wage offers from aviation business, publicly rejecting offers and openly talking about industrial action.

• Where has the balance of power ended up in aviation in the post-pandemic period?

• With thousands of experienced workers having permanently departed the sector, what are the key recruiting areas for aviation businesses?

• How do airlines address the enormous challenges in recruiting and accessing skilled workers?

• What is the role of the public sector in helping to build the skills pipelines needed for the long term success of the regional aviation sector?

Moderator: 777 Partners, CEO, Manish Raniga

Panel

• AAA, CEO, James Goodwin
• Australia & International Pilots Association (AIPA), President, Tony Lucas
• Flight Attendant Association of Australia, Secretary, Teri O'Toole

CAPA employs a global team of highly-experienced analysts who deliver a wealth of commentary about the aviation and travel industry. Our analysts don’t just report the news, they look at the big picture to help you understand how the latest news, issues and trends will affect your business. CAPA’s commitment to independence and integrity means every report is filled with accurate data and actionable insights to help you stay ahead of the game.

Clayton is FLYR's General Manager for Asia Pacific. With over 20 years of experience in both travel and technology roles, Clayton has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the industry and particularly the Asia Pacific region. Having worked and led airline revenue management and commercial teams, Clayton brings a unique perspective to the table. With time spent at travel technology organisations Sabre and PROS, Clayton has a strong background in the technology behind airline revenue management. Passionate about airline revenue management, Clayton is dedicated to helping companies optimize their revenue and drive growth.

The  Australia Pacific Aviation Summit 2023 was held in Brisbane, Australia over 14-15 September 2023. The event, hosted in conjunction with Brisbane Airport Corporation, brought CAPA’s home event to Brisbane for a two-day summit exploring the key strategic issues facing airlines, airports, and the wider travel industry in the region.

Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff commented: “Every year, millions of passengers pass through our airport, and for most of them BNE is their first and last impression of Australia. We have a responsibility, as a connecting hub, to proudly display Australia to the world. As our city prepares for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we look forward to showcasing our city to all of the 2023 CAPA delegates with a warm Brisbane welcome.”