European Regions Airline Association

Protecting the future of European air transport and its regions

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The main conference theme will focus on 'protecting the future of European air transport and its regions'. What risks do current and prospective regulatory burdens pose for the connectivity of Europe's regions and the mobility, economic and social wellbeing of the citizens living in regional communities. What role should high speed rail play and what are our industry prospects for the next decade during the current climate of economic uncertainty?

Wednesday 18 April 2012

Welcome by Marc Lamidey, President, ERA and President & CEO, Brit Air

Keynote Address by Fernando Pinto, President, TAP Portugal

CONFERENCE SESSION I: Europe's Regions at Risk

As an important catalyst to both local and regional development, the European aviation industry has much to offer Europe's regions, but how does Europe's policies on aviation affect local and regional growth? This conference session will look at the various viewpoints presented by the speakers and will conclude with a stimulating debate.

Session Chair: Jan Palmér, CEO, Cimber Sterling

Henrik Hololei, Head of Cabinet for Vice President Kallas, Commissioner for Transport, European Commission: European Commission's White Paper on Air Transport – looking forward to 2050 – a regulators' perspective

Paul Schütz, Past ERA Board Member: Europe's Regions at Risk; the airlines' view?

Laurie Price, Director of Aviation Strategy, Mott MacDonald: What does Air Transport offer to the Regions of Europe – an industry view

 CONFERENCE SESSION II: The Air and Rail Debate

As the debate on the various benefits and constraints of air versus rail travel continues, we discuss the elements of sensible integration and fair competition between rail and air transport. We ask, "does a problem lie in unequal competition and distorted perceptions" and we discuss how both modes can work alongside each other.

Session Chair: Steven Aliment, Vice President Sales, Europe, Russia & CIS, Bombardier

Simon McNamara, Deputy Director General, ERA: An objective study on air and rail

Robert Deillon, Director General, Geneva International Airport: An airport's relationship with rail

David Jevons, Managing Consultant, Oxera: Air and Rail: Synergies leading to regional development

Thursday 19 April 2012

CONFERENCE SESSION III: Connecting the Regions of Europe

Following on from conference sessions I and II we turn our focus to the operational perspectives of three European Regional Airlines, from the north, south and the island regions. Airlines that provide valuable and essential services and connections to their citizens and in doing so contribute greatly to keeping their regions alive.

Session Chair: Marco Balbo, Sales Director, SuperJet International

Antonio Gomes de Menezes, President of The Board of Directors, CEO, SATA Air Açores: Connecting the remoter island regions in Europe

Lars Kobberstad, CEO, Widerøe: Providing links to Europe's remoter regions

Panos Nicolaidis, Ground Operations Director, Aegean Airlines: Keeping the island regions alive through air transport

CONFERENCE SESSION IV: The Future Europe's Regions

The current economic climate poses many challenges to the European aviation industry. In Session IV we look forward to the future of Europe's regions and the contributing role played by Europe's regional airports and airlines. In addition we focus on the development of the regions driven by European targets for improving performance and delivery of effective infrastructure and air traffic management.

Session Chair: Martin Isler, Executive Vice President & COO, Luxair Luxembourg Airlines

Jonathan Raynor, Head of Business Development, London Southend Airport: Regional airports' important role as Europe's second hubs

Morgan Foulkes, Director of Policy, ACI Europe: Regional airports and their contribution to the regions of Europe

Ricardo Genova, Member of the European Commission Performance Review Board: Driving the development of the regions through European targets for performance of Europe's air transport system