Air transport summit injects confidence into flying industry
(XING BAO)
06/07/2002
The World Air Transport Summit, also known as the 58th IATA Annual General Meeting, opened in Shanghai on June 3.It is the first time that the meeting has been held in China. Chairmen and chief executive officers from more than 200 airlines across the world assembled in Shanghai for the two-day "Aviation Olympics". Under the theme "From Survival to Recovery", CEOs discussed two main topics: how to restore consumer confidence and to achieve financial viability; and the future prospects of China's aviation market. The efforts made by more than 10 Chinese airlines in the last few years and the rapid development in Chinese economy and air transport sectors contributed to the successful opening of the 58th IATA Annual General Meeting in Shanghai. Chinese air transport sees a substantially rapid development during the last decade. The ratio of domestic to international air traffic in China is comparable to the US. China Eastern Airlines Co Ltd is the host ailrine of the 58th IATA Annual General Meeting. Ye Yigan, a member of the IATA Board and president of China Eastern Airlines Co Ltd, presided over the meeting as chairman of this year's annual gathering. The development strategies and policies regarding the airline industry; cargo and passenger transport rules, standards and decisions; IATA budget and the appointment of new director general - all have to be approved by the Annual General Meeting. The meeting also discusses hot issues and the future development of the airline industry. The Annual General Meeting is also an opportunity for the airline industry to show its own development. It provides an opportunity for chief executives of global airlines to strengthen their exchanges and co-operation. Strong confidence in China's aviation prospects was expressed during the meeting. "China's economic growth continued even during the global recession. After joining the WTO, China will further integrate into the global economic system. All this will greatly spur aviation development," said Rod Eddington, CEO of British Airways. "The consolidation of China's aviation industry will be finished very soon without being affected by any accidents. Widening reform and ensuring safety are two major tasks for the industry," said Bao Peide, vice-president of the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China. "Despite the global aviation downturn, flights between China and Canada are as full as ever," said Robert Milton, CEO of Air Canada.
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