Club News

WOW – ‘Impossible is only an opinion’

The Aviation Club UK

Impossible is only an opinion.  That was one of many takeaway moments from yesterday’s speaker at the UK Aviation Club.

For those of us who were there to hear Skuli Mogensen’s story of WOW! – WOW did we have a treat!   For those of you who weren’t there – you should have been.  You missed a really special event. 

Skuli spoke without notes about he set up WOW!  How they arrived at the name, and what having a name like that means for the decisions that need to follow, and the expectations it sets.  He talked about how one day he can realistically see airlines paying customers to travel with them, because of the value their data unlocks in providing ancillary services. 

He talked about WOW!’s future plans – and provided plenty of headlines for the media guests present. 

He will most certainly go down as one of the most inspirational speakers we’ve ever had – and I was really lucky that it happened at my last lunch as Chairman so I got to host him at lunch, where the Top Table had a really animated cross-table conversation that everyone enjoyed. 

Thank you for the opportunity to chair the Club which has been an unforgettable experience.  Karl Brunjes now takes over and will be a brilliant Chairman.  He has a great Committee – and yesterday we had three very key and capable members re-elected in Donna Ager, Vicky Hartley and Jeremy Green, as well as winning Tony Whitty back after a year away.  Two new Committee members – Arnaud Fiscel and James McCarthy – complete a really strong line-up and it’s great to have the Club in such good hands.

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‘Project Sunrise’, 17 Hour Perth/London Flight, Exercise Areas … For Qantas This Is The Future

The Aviation Club UK

On Tuesday 27 March the Aviation Club was joined by Alan Joyce, Group CEO of Qantas, and team.  Marking the launch of the new non-stop Perth/London route.  Joyce spoke to a full house about this ground breaking move by Qantas and future plans, which include ‘Project Sunrise’.

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Business Travel News – Aviation Club and Aegean …

The Aviation Club UK

Malcolm Ginsberg reports for Business Travel News:  Dimitrios Gerogiannis, the engaging CEO of Greek airline Aegean was the speaker at London’s Aviation Club last week.  The MBA (Master of Business Administration) from the London Business School introduced himself by saying he preferred a dialog to a monolog which he would keep short in describing the airline, and then take questions ….

To download full article from BTN, click here

 

Aegean Airline To Issue Fleet Renewal Tender Within Four Weeks ….

The Aviation Club UK

Dimitris Gerogiannis, CEO of Aegean Airlines, pictured here with Aviation Club UK Chairman Jane Johnston, spoke at the Aviation Club lunch in London on 7 February 2018.  Addressing Club members and guests, Gerogiannis explained Aegean’s future growth strategy, focus on high customer service levels and confirmed that a fleet renewal tender will be announced within a month….

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Aviation Club UK Young Professionals Survey

The Aviation Club UK provides a networking forum for its 500+ members from across the aviation industry, and a vehicle for promoting and developing all aspects of aviation.  The Club wants to get a better feel for the current awareness of, and interest in the Club among younger people building their careers in the industry, particularly those in the 20-35 age bracket, to see how we can make the Club more relevant for you.  We have produced a brief survey to help gain some insight.

The survey is open to members and non-Club members and if you fall within the specified age bracket, we would be really grateful if you could take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire and please feel free to pass the survey on to help us get as wide a perspective as possible.  If you are outside of the required age bracket please help us by forwarding to colleagues who do fit the criteria.

CLICK HERE to take survey

The closing date for survey responses is WEDNESDAY 31 JANUARY 2018

Aviation Club 2018 Speaker Programme Launches 7 Feb With Aegean Airlines CEO

Wednesday 7 February at London’s Institute of Directors sees the start of the 2018 programme of the Aviation Club UK with the first speaker Aegean Airlines’ CEO Dimitrios Gerogiannis.

Aegean’s first commercial flights were in May 1999 from Athens to Heraklion and Thessaloniki with two brand-new wholly-owned British Aerospace Avro RJ100.  It quickly expanded its operations and by 2009 was carrying more passengers than its long-established rival Olympic Airlines.  Aegean joined Star Alliance at the end of June 2010 and after a protracted pursuit took over what was by then Olympic Air and its routes.  Unlike Olympic, Aegean only currently flies short/medium-haul routes with a 46-strong fleet of Airbus 320 series aircraft.  Perhaps Mr Gerogiannis will tell us more?

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Blue Skies In February For The Aviation Club UK

The Aviation Club UK

The Aviation Club UK kicks off its new year event programme with a fascinating aviation success story at its first lunch on Wednesday 7 February 2018 at London’s Institute of Directors.

The first speaker in a great line up is Aegean Airlines’ CEO Dimitrios Gerogiannis whose airline has fought against all the odds to deliver a successful airline which is today the envy of the industry.

CLICK HERE to download full release issued by Aviation Club UK

For full list of 2018 events dates see EVENT section at www.aviationclub.org.uk

 

Alex Cruz revisits Avation Club UK

The Aviation Club UK

Alex Cruz returned to the Aviation Club UK on 7 December 2017 to address a capacity audience of 250 members and guests at the Club’s Christmas luncheon, held at the IoD, Pall Mall.  Read Cruz’s full speech HERE.

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UK Aviation Priorities: Clarity on Brexit and Expanding Heathrow

The Aviation Club UK

UK Aviation Priorities: Clarity on Brexit and Expanding Heathrow

8 November 2017 (London) – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) urged the UK Government to shore-up its international air connectivity by focusing on a cost-effective expansion of Heathrow Airport and achieving early clarity on post-Brexit issues.

Brexit

“In building the post-Brexit world, the prosperity of the UK will depend on the strength of its connectivity—links with Europe and the rest of the world,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO, in an address to the UK Aviation Club.

“There is a real challenge ahead. When the UK leaves the European Single Market, it will also leave the European Common Aviation Area. And when it breaks from the European Union, all traffic rights to the rest of the world associated with Europe will also be thrown into question. The basis of international aviation is bilateral air services agreements. There is no WTO agreement to fall back on. For that reason, I don’t see any alternative to a negotiated agreement,” said de Juniac.

IATA urged an early resolution for aviation in the Brexit discussion. “Time is precious. The Brexit clock is ticking towards a deadline of March 2019. But the aviation deadline is earlier. Normally passengers can book travel about a year in advance. At a minimum, the flight schedules and seat and cargo inventories must be available at least six months in advance. So that puts the airlines’ deadline at October 2018—just 11 months from now,” said de Juniac.

“My message to all involved is threefold: Get started. Don’t step backward—people will not accept anything that turns back the clock on the achievements of the EU Common Aviation Area. And, lastly, don’t underestimate the amount of work ahead as there are intense political and commercial interests at stake,” said de Juniac.

While much attention has been paid to air service agreements, IATA urged action across a broad spectrum of issues including:

  • Finding staffing, systems and process solutions for a potential ballooning of customs transactions from 4.6 million/month to 21 million/month.
  • Developing immigration solutions to efficiently deal with the millions of travellers between the UK and Europe should border control procedures become more cumbersome.
  • Defining the relationship of the UK to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)

“The pressure is mounting, with passenger numbers predicted to grow irrespective of Brexit. Solutions need to be found quickly to ensure a smooth transition. With the amount of work that needs to be done, there are good arguments to put transition agreements in place,” said de Juniac.

Expanding Heathrow

IATA urged the UK government to address severe capacity constraints in the Southeast of the UK by expanding Heathrow airport. “Heathrow is where expansion should take place. I know the struggle to build a third runway has meant decades of frustration. But the UK will be left behind in the globally connected world if it does not come to a final decision and implement it,” said de Juniac.

The UK Department for Transport’s Draft National Policy Statement notes that a third runway at Heathrow will create GBP 200 billion in economic value and support up to 110,000 jobs. “Expanding Heathrow is about building prosperity. It should be a priority for the UK. And facing the post-Brexit world makes it even more urgent,” said de Juniac.

IATA, however, cautioned that the cost of expanding Heathrow needs to support its future competitiveness. “I am not saying to build the third runway at any cost. The original estimates of GBP 17 billion were completely unacceptable. Heathrow Airport’s recently announced intention to reduce that cost is a step in the right direction. Heathrow is already the most expensive airport in the world from which to operate. It is essential that Heathrow’s charges do not rise from today’s levels. The construction of the third runway must enhance Heathrow’s competitiveness, not destroy it!” said de Juniac.

A successful airport needs sufficient capacity and quality, aligned with airline operational needs and costs that are affordable. “In delivering the third runway, Heathrow’s capacity issue will be resolved for now. But achieving the right quality at the correct price requires consultation with the airlines. And one idea from the airline community that should be taken into consideration by the government is seeking competitive bids from developers,” said de Juniac.

CLICK HERE to see full text of de Juniac’s address or visit the IATA website .