At World Aviation Festival, Henry Harteveldt, Travel Industry Analyst, Atmosphere Research Group (Moderator), Marjan Rintel, CEO, KLM, Willie Walsh, Director General, IATA, David Neeleman, Founder & CEO, Breeze Airways, and Theo Panagiotoulias, CEO, Star Alliance joined for the keynote CEO panel.
The session, titled “Mitigating geopolitics, adopting Gen AI, building more efficiency and managing supply chain issues – what’s the state of play?” spanned a range of polarising topics, including digitalisation, challenges and pain points, air traffic management (ATM) frictions, sustainability, and more.
During the panel, Neeleman challenged Walsh’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) position. The Breeze Airways Founder & CEO suggested that the estimated $174 billion annual cost to bridge the gap between SAF and traditional kerosene would be misplaced, arguing:
“[Aviation] can take away double the emissions we’re producing with a lot less money than you’re talking about.”
The panellists also debated aviation’s position within the broader ecosystem where some players are extracting disproportionate value “off the back of the hard work airlines do.”
To hear from these industry leaders on digitalisation, correcting bottlenecks, areas where technology holds the greatest potential, Single European Skies, and much more, watch the full session now.
For more from onsite at World Aviation Festival 2024 see:
- Marjan Rintel: Automation, AI, and data at KLM
- How DXB CEO Paul Griffiths plans to change passenger experience
- Sun Country Airlines CEO shares the “secret sauce” to remaining profitable amid industry challenges
