Routes Americas 2018
Quito, Ecuador
• 13 – 15 February 2018
Conference Programme
This year’s conference programme will run across the three days of the event comprising CEO interview sessions, panel discussions and airlines briefings. All delegates are invited to attend the conference program, which will bring together high-level speakers and will explore the challenges and opportunities for the aviation industry in the America's region.
Tuesday, 13 February 2018
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Fireside Chat – A life in aviation and facing new Latin American challenges
In frank and informal conversation, Viva Air’s Declan Ryan will outline how he visualises the continent’s growth prospects and the potential that exists for his airline.
Ryan has been involved with establishing or managing six low-cost carriers over the past 30 years, including Ryanair, VivaAerobus, Tiger Airways of Singapore, and Allegiant Air in the US.
In this conversation, we will explore the projects he has led and the challenges he has faced over the years. We will also find out why he is focused on trying to revolutionise the Latin American market.
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How to make your airport stand out?
In the aviation world, competition is not only between airlines but also between airports. It is therefore key to keep discovering new ways of increasing your competitiveness.
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority has enhanced its marketing efforts in recent years, actively promoting Washington Dulles International (IAD) to passengers and airlines. In this session, the authority gives insights on ways to make airports more competitive and stand out from the competition.
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Networking Break
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Panel Debate – Recovering from disasters
From hurricanes to flooding, earthquakes to landslides; there have been some deadly natural disasters in recent months, shaking the Americas and the Caribbean and causing mass disruption for airports and airlines alike.
Last August Hurricane Harvey became the first major hurricane to strike the US for more than a decade, with Hurricane Irma following a month later and causing devastation, including to the world-famous airport in St Maarten. During the same month, Hurricane Maria devastated the island of Puerto Rico, forcing American Airlines and JetBlue to cancel scores of flights.
The effects of air transport disruption can be felt worldwide, with economies often taking years to recover from the destruction caused. So what can the industry do to help mitigate the damage and minimise losses? What lessons can be learned from the recent disasters? How can tourism organisations reposition destinations after major incidents? What are the long-term implications for airlines and airports?
Wednesday, 14 February 2018
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Panel Debate – State of the Americas region
According to the latest forecasts from the International Air Transport Association, the future of the industry in the region is promising. Although the US is set to lose its crown to China as the largest aviation market in the world by 2022, the North American region will still grow by 2.3 percent annually over the next two decades and will carry a total of 1.2 billion passengers by 2036. Likewise, Latin America will grow at an annual rate of 4.2 percent to 757 million passengers over the same period.
But increased passenger demand will bring a significant challenges. Can the region’s airports cope with the infrastructure demands? How can efficiency be improved? How can the industry and governments work together to ensure the growth is sustainable?
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Keynote Interview
How is VivaAerobus shaping the LATAM market?
Javier Suarez , Vice President Network Planning, Revenue Management & E-Commerce , VivaAerobus, will discuss the regional industry and the airline’s future plans.
Additionally Suarez is ideally placed to examine the growth potential of the low-cost model in Central, North and South America.
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Keynote Presentation – Airline opportunities in a market ready for growth
Paúl Granda López, Minister, Transport and Public Works, Ecuador
Hear how the Ecuadorian aviation market is ready for growth, with opportunities to develop the network on both domestic and international routes following the recent announcement of Open Skies.
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Networking Break
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Panel Debate – Returning Latin America’s powerhouses to growth
Latin America has all the necessary elements to become an aviation success story: competitive and efficient airlines, a growing middle class, favourable demographics and a geography that necessitates travel by air. But is the region fulfilling its promise? What can countries learn from each other? The session will explore the progress made in the key markets’ aviation sectors and look at new carriers shaking up the industry.
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Exclusive updates direct from Tame's President of the Board of Directors, Ignacio Vallejo.
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Lunch Break
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Panel Debate – Airport privatisation: what do airlines want?
Privatisation of airports has failed to take off in the US and Canada but the tide towards putting them in the hands of for-profit companies could be turning, with both governments seemingly now more open to this model. Privatised airports in other countries around the world have often resulted in increased investment and efficiencies. However, federal rules particularly in the US present major stumbling blocks, while the Federal Aviation Administration currently states that sale proceeds must be used for airport reinvestment, rather than the general budget.
But what do airlines want? Would privatisation present opportunities or threats? Air Canada has stated it is ‘categorically against’ privatisation as it will increase overall aviation costs. Is this true? Are airport operators improving services and investing enough to bring airports to the next level?
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Networking Break
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Panel Debate – Is low-cost the future for the Americas?
A new wave of ultra-low-cost carriers (ULCCs) are entering markets across the Americas. In Canada, there could be up to four new ULCCs by the end of 2018, while Chile and Argentina have each witnessed start-ups in recent months. How will the influx of ULCCs disrupt the market? What is needed for an ULCC to be successful? How they will benefit secondary markets? What lessons can Chile, Canada and Argentina learn from each other? How can legacy carriers protect their market share?
Thursday, 15 February 2018
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Masterclass: seizing the potential of data
Learn how to demonstrate the true potential of your market through data, leakage studies and traffic forecasts with ASM.
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Closing Remarks
* Please note like all events, the programme is subject to change.
Speakers
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Juan Carlos Zuazua
Chief Executive Officer, VivaAerobus -
Ignacio Vallejo
President of the Board of Directors, Tame EP -
Declan Ryan
Chief Executive Officer, Viva Air -
Andrea Lusso
Director of Planning, jetBlue Airways -
Nigel Mayes
Senior Vice President, Consulting & Product Development, ASM -
Matthew J. Cornelius
Vice President, Air Policy, Airports Council International – North America