New priorities for IFSA/APEX

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, many from the aviation and onboard sectors finally got to meet in-person again last week at the annual IFSA/APEX Expo.

Organisers report 1300 attendees representing 52 airlines and 120 suppliers came through the doors last week for meetings, lively panel debate and thought leadership sessions, designed to support the recovery.

Among those hosting sessions in the IFSA Innovation Pavilion was Dr. Stathis Kefallonitis, Associate Professor of Passenger Intelligence at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, who shares his insights from the event here. 

Keynote speakers included Scott Kirky, United Airlines CEO, who was optimistic about the outlook for air travel despite new concerns about the Omicron variant of COVID-19; Turkish Airlines’ chairman and CEO Ilker Aycı, who charted the carrier’s journey through the pandemic; and SAUDIA’s CEO Captain Ibrahim Koshy, who shared recent milestones for the airline as it goes for growth. Read full reports of these sessions here.

For the first time the IFSA/APEX Board of Governors held their AGM in public view and online to show their commitment to the future. Board members discussed priorities for the association in the coming year and voted on two top priorities out of 10 suggested:  AI, Biometrics, Connectivity, Driving Change, Health Safety, Personalisation, Seamless payment, Seating Comfort standards, Sustainability. The board voted to prioritise Health Safety and Sustainability for the associations to advance through the next 12 months. View the AGM debate here.

The associations also announced the winners of their Official Airline Ratings, Passenger Choice Awards and APEX/IFSA Awards. See full details here.