Aviation’s New Flight Plan: Innovation, Adaptation, and Consolidation

by Carol Hallett

Whether you consider commercial travel, air cargo, military aviation, or business and private travel, the aviation industry is an essential component of our domestic economy and our everyday lives.  However, challenges and changes lie on aviation’s horizon which must be understood and resolved to ensure this vital industry continues to grow and succeed.

Each year we examine the important issues facing the aviation industry and on April 3, the National Chamber Foundation will host its seventh annual Aviation Summit, "Aviation’s New Flight Plan: Innovation, Adaptation, and Consolidation", in partnership with the Chamber and CIT Group.  This year’s summit will be the most important to date; our distinguished and knowledgeable panelists and speakers will share their unique perspectives about how the industry currently meets the challenges it faces, as well as how business leaders, aviators, and policy makers can prepare for the future.

Some of the most pertinent and pressing issues facing aviation which will be examined are:

• Consolidation though not a new issue in the aviation industry; continues to be an issue of great importance.  A merger between airlines has far-reaching implications, both positive and negative, that extend to capital markets, government, business, and individual passengers.  What would the effect of such an agreement be on the industry as a whole?  Additionally, how do commercial airlines meet new challenges and growing costs, while continuing to provide the best possible service to customers?  Glenn Tilton, chairman, president, and CEO of United Airlines, and Dave Barger, CEO of Jet Blue, will explore these questions and more.
• Creativity and innovation are the roots of the aviation industry, and they continue to propel the industry towards the future.  What new technologies will be implemented, and how will they impact the industry?  What challenges can be met with innovation?  Monte Belger of Lockheed Martin, will lead an expert panel through these issues, including speakers from Boeing,  Pratt & Whitney, Computer Sciences Corporation, and the NexGen Joint Planning and Development Office.
• As the price of fuel rises, commercial airlines and cargo carriers alike must face growing overhead costs.  In addition, airlines who have committed themselves to environmentally-conscientious policies also face increasingly stringent, and occasionally costly, regulations.  Panelists from Lufthansa, the Airports Council International of North America, and UPS will speak with moderator Nancy Young of the Air Transport Association about these timely and important issues.

Register today and see you there.

Comments

[Kalpana Kulkarni]

I want to have a look at the speakers' discussion on creativity & innovation in the aviation industry