AAPA airline presidents meeting becomes virtual event
This year’s Association of Asia Pacific Airlines’ annual meeting of airline presidents will be a virtual affair for the first time.
This year it was to have taken place in Japan on 12-13 November but the pandemic has made an in-person event impractical.
"We had very much hoped that we could hold a physical meeting in Japan this year, but unfortunately circumstances do not allow for this to happen," said AAPA Director General Subhas Menon.
This time, the Assembly of Presidents is restricted to delegates for its member airlines followed by a separate media briefing.
"Prolonged border closures have wider repercussions far beyond the aviation industry, seriously affecting economic and social wellbeing. We sincerely hope governments will come together soon to pave the way for the resumption of international air travel in a safe and secure manner," the AAPA said.
Last year’s meeting was also disrupted, but for different reasons.
It was to be held in Hong Kong but was shifted to Kuala Lumpur at the last minute due Hong Kong’s pro-democracy demonstrations.
IATA also announced its 76th annual general meeting will go virtual due to the pandemic, while the accompanying World Air Transport Summit has been scrapped for this year.
Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Editor
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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