Programme of Events

Including presentations from Eamonn Brennan, Director General, Eurocontrol on ATM developments and challenges for the future and Filip Cornelis, Director Aviation and International Transport Affairs, European Commission on European Commission’s airport capacity and connectivity index.

Keynote Address by Andrew Kelly, President, ERA

CONFERENCE SESSION 1
The imminent challenges and threats to our business
This forthcoming year is certain to provide a series of regulatory and political challenges. With the countdown to the UK’s exit from the EU fast approaching and a number of new political European elections imminent, the aviation landscape is sure to continue to change during this complex and uncertain time. Brexit, competition, rising costs and insolvency are just some of the major topics to be discussed during this panel discussion; what really is the new recipe for success in our business?
This session will be chaired by ERA’s Director General, Montserrat Barriga, and will include inspirational and thought-provoking commentary from our panel of airline leaders:

• Andy Green, CEO, Jota Aviation
• Christine Ourmières-Widener, CEO, Flybe
• Warner Rootliep, Managing Director, KLM Cityhopper
• Mikael Wångdahl, VP External Production, SAS External Production

Industry skills shortage - a modern day crisis for our industry?
As talks continue of an industry skills shortage, the regional sector in Europe is already feeling the full effects of this critical situation. Pilot loss to legacy and low-cost carriers seems to be one of the major factors contributing to this problem as well as shortages in maintenance staff. What can be done to change this? How can we keep the pilots we have invested in and attract a new generation into the maintenance sector? Is this really a global problem or a regional one, or is our industry just not that appealing anymore?  This session will be chaired by  Andrew Kelly, President, ERA and will include presentation and an informative debate by:

‘Future pilot shortage solutions’
András Farkas, Training and Operations Director, PHARMAFLIGHT

‘The impact of the pilot shortage’
Miguel Vaz Pinto, Technical Coordinator Director, TAP Express operated by Portugália Airlines

'Attracting the next generation into the business'
Paul Conway, Group Managing Director, Qualitair