2008 World Travel Market Airline Programme

The airline industry continues to generate headline news; the 2008 World Travel Market Airline Programme will explore the burning issues in a series of thought provoking seminar sessions. Positioned in the context of the turbulent environment currently affecting the sector, the discussions will cover a range of subjects including market position, rising fuel costs, future strategy and the environment.

Chaired by senior industry consultant, John Strickland, the programme begins with the Head to Head featuring airline CEO's examining the new long-haul low-cost business model on Tuesday 11 November. Based around the current difficult market conditions, is the long-haul low-cost model sustainable?

The Head to Head panel includes Alex Cruz CEO of Clickair and Azran Osman Rani CEO of Air Asia X. Specifically looking at the low-cost market the seminar will discuss how it differs from the short haul model and how important low-cost airlines are to the travel and tourism industry.

Bringing the airline debate to the WTM World Responsible Tourism Day agenda on Wednesday 12 November, John Strickland will chair a targeted seminar on the Airline Impact on the Environment. As one of the main targets in the carbon emissions dispute, the seminar looks at what the airline industry is doing to improve its own performance.

The expert speaker group consists of Silla Maizey, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at British Airways, Dr Mark Watson, Head of Corporate Environmental Affairs at the Society of British Aerospace Companies, Jill Brady, General Counsel for Virgin Atlantic Airways and Nick Mercer, Commercial Director for Eurostar. Together with John Strickland the group will discuss and debate topics including Better Air Traffic Control, more efficient aircraft, improvements in engine technology, bio fuels, passenger carbon offsetting, and trains versus planes.

John Strickland commented, "Airlines today are facing a crisis situation-they are under pressure from all angles with rising fuel prices, falling demand and environmental criticism. We will be exploring how the world's airlines are facing up to these tough challenges. What are their business strategies today and what new models are emerging? How do they meet the complaints about airlines' contribution to the environment problem and what are they doing about it?" "There is much positive activity underway and we aim, with our panels of top industry players, to explore the issues and demonstrate not only the importance of the air transport business to tourism and the global economy, but to highlight the real energy and determination it is applying to the problems which it faces"

Rounding out the sector's programme the airline debate will play an important role in Thursday 13 November's WTM Global Economic Forum where John Strickland will represent the industry. Bringing together the impact of the global credit crunch on air travel with the effects on trading volumes, the outlook for long term growth-assessment, changing trends, industry consolidation and the role of government in air transport John will discuss how these issues tie into the overall effects on travel and tourism, as airline travel is one of the major modes of transportation for holidaymakers.

Speaking about the programme WTM Chairman Fiona Jeffery said, "The airline sector, for the past thirty years and today, continues to play a major role in the travel and tourism industry. Acting as the main transport provider delivering the tourist to destinations worldwide, giving individuals access to new places, and creating jobs and prosperity, this specialised industry segment is a key area at the exhibition. World Travel Market, along with senior experts, will deliver a highly topical airline series this November."

WTM Airline Programme Schedule

- Low Cost Airline CEO Panel: Tuesday 11 November, 11:00 hrs, North Gallery Room 6/7 - Airlines Impact on the Environment: Wednesday 12 November, 14:00 hrs, North Gallery Room 4/5 - WTM Global Economic Forum: Thursday 13 November, 11:00 hrs, Platinum Suite 4 - early bird discount of �59 valid until 03 October. The regular rate of �79 is valid from 4 October - 7 October.

For more information and to book and attend the WTM Global Economic Forum please visit www.wtmlondon.com.

-Ends-

NOTES TO EDITORS

World Travel Market - New Admissions Policy

World Travel Market (WTM), the global trade event for the travel industry announces a new admission policy, designed to benefit both exhibitors and visitors alike. The new WTM policy includes changes to the structure of the daily format, with WTM Opening Day on Monday 10 November, open to Exhibitors, Exhibitor Invitees, Ministers, and press. The following three days, Tuesday 11 November - Thursday 13 November, will be accessible to all Meridian Club members, Travel Trade professionals, Ministers and press, giving participants more flexibility to choose the days they wish to visit the exhibition.

Students will be invited to attend WTM on Wednesday 12 November and Thursday 13 November, where they will participate in a structured education programme. Individuals from the retail arm of the travel industry including travel agents, homeworkers and call centre staff will be invited to attend WTM on Thursday 13 November.

WTM remains a trade only exhibition. A full programme of conferences, seminars, B2B meetings, and industry initiatives will run across three days, Tuesday 11 November - Thursday 13 November and includes the UNWTO Minister's Summit, WTM World Responsible Tourism Day (WTM WRTD), along with a number of new initiatives on Thursday 13 November, such as an extended Responsible Tourism programme and exhibitor to exhibitor networking initiatives.

For further details visit www.wtmlondon.com

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