Welcome Message

The Asia Pacific aviation market is steering the growth of the global aviation industry with four of the five fastest-growing global markets operating in our region. And it’s estimated that by 2035, an additional 1.8 billion passengers will be transported to, from and within our region annually for an overall market size of 3.1 billion and a growth factor of about 5% each year.

What does that mean to us, as leaders of the Asia Pacific airline industry? To realize our industry’s potential, we must overcome some real challenges. Challenges such as economic fluctuations, shifting political interests, and customer demands that are more fragmented than ever. How we use cutting-edge technology from the Fourth Industrial Revolution and environmental subjects such as carbon emissions are also critical issues.

It’s impossible for an individual airline to unilaterally grapple with these global challenges. Collaboration of member airlines is essential to confront the challenges resulting from our dynamic environment. AAPA makes that kind of teamwork possible.

I hope that the AAPA 62 Assembly of Presidents in Jeju, Korea, will be an opportunity for us to share our thoughts and understanding on these and other issues and I’m confident this will be a chance for us to better prepare ourselves for the future.

It is my pleasure to host this important event in Jeju, a wonderous place that will encourage thought provoking conversations and collaborative thinking.

Thank you.

Airlines based in the Asia Pacific region are benefitting from continued healthy growth in passenger and cargo traffic. Collectively, Asia Pacific airlines now carry 1.5 billion passengers and 22 million tones of cargo, representing over one third of global passenger and cargo traffic, thus playing a critically important role in the ongoing development of global aviation.

Aviation is widely recognized as a key driver of economic and social development, promoting travel and tourism, and facilitating the growth of international centers for business services, trading and transport logistics.

Ongoing global economic growth will continue to drive further expansion of the aviation markets, but at the same time creates challenges in ensuring that the necessary aviation infrastructure is in place to support such growth. Furthermore, the recent rise in protectionist rhetoric poses some potential risks to trade and business activity.

Working together with governments and other stakeholders, Asia Pacific airlines are well placed to confront these challenges, whilst still remaining at the forefront of industry developments and customer service innovation.

Aviation is an inherently global industry, which is subject to a myriad of regulatory controls. AAPA engages with governments and other stakeholders with the aim of ensuring that the views of our region are given proper weight in debating important international policies relating to aviation.

Together with our hosts Korean Air, we look forward to welcoming you to Jeju in Korea for the AAPA62 Assembly of Presidents meeting.