Source: ALA News reporting

  • Leaders of the aviation industry gathered for two days in the Greek capital in the context of the Hermes – Air Transport Organisation Annual General Meeting. Latin America and the Caribbean region had a very relevant participation in the event, thanks to the presence in Athens of the Executive Director and CEO of the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA), Jose Ricardo Botelho, and the Director-General of Airports Council International (ACI-LAC) for that part of the world, Dr. Rafael Echevarne.

Hermes – Air Travel Organisation celebrated a fruitful Annual General Meeting in which prominent leaders of civil aviation and their associations participated in Athens, Greece. On the occasion, two discussion panels were held to analyze the current situation of the industry which has endured the worst crisis in its history due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The welcoming words were given by the Minister of Tourism of the Hellenic Republic, Harry Theoharis who, on behalf of the Prime Minister of Greece, Kiriakos Mitsotakis, detailed the efforts that the Greek government has made to keep this important sector of the country’s economy active and further developing in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, with a success without comparison in the rest of Europe. The Minister also referred to the importance of aviation in Greece as it plays a key role in the connectivity of a country that, in addition to its European continental territory, has more of 200 inhabited islands.

The meeting also served to discuss effective leadership and cooperation between the different aviation actors, as essential elements in the task of rebuilding the industry after the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been the greatest crisis in its history. As a forum for industry opinion leaders, in the last 12 months Hermes – Air Transport Organisation facilitated an extensive exchange of ideas on this topic, which allowed receiving reports from more than a dozen air industry associations. This exchange of information has served as the basis for a final report, with recommendations to precisely promote leadership and cooperation. In addition, the document emphasizes the need to disseminate research based on real evidence, which can counteract threats and reduce risks in the face of unilateral actions by States, regarding future crises such as Covid-19. It also underlines the relevance of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a United Nations system agency, in this regard.

“I am pleased that despite the challenges facing commercial aviation, we have the participation of 15 organizations. Now more than ever, leadership plays a critical role in re-launching the industry. The recommendations will help all industry stakeholders move forward”, said Dr. Kostas Iatrou, Hermes – Air Transport Organisation Director-General.

Important Latin American and Caribbean Participation

Latin America had a very relevant participation in the event, thanks to the presence in Athens of the Executive Director and CEO of the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA), Jose Ricardo Botelho, and the Director-General of Airports Council International (ACI-LAC) for that part of the world, Dr. Rafael Echevarne.

Mr. Botelho from ALTA referred extensively to the challenges that aviation has faced, in a region where it is fundamental by virtue of the fact that air transport is essential given the lack of other transport alternatives. “Aviation plays an irreplaceable role in Latin America and the Caribbean. Other parts of the world such as Europe and North America, have other means and greater infrastructure that allow the mobility of their inhabitants for their well-being and the development of the economies of their countries. In our hemisphere, many times aviation is the only possible form of contact, because there are no other options and accounting for that reality has been an important part of the work we have carried out with each of the governments of the region. We have faced many difficulties, but I am a strong believer in the future of the industry and that this crisis is an opportunity to come out stronger”, he said.

Dr. Rafael Echevarne from ACI-LAC, in turn, highlighted the tireless work of Latin American and Caribbean airports, in order to adapt to the adversities posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. “We have done our job despite great difficulties and those who require air terminals for their professional, commercial and leisure activities, have been able to count on them. There are countless examples that show that airports have implemented very innovative initiatives, using the best and most advanced technologies so that any risk can be and is minimized. We have shown that our industry is willing to take on challenges and make all kinds of improvements for the benefit of all”, he indicated.

Both representatives were part of the two panels of discussion that the programme of the Annual General Meeting of Hermes – Air Transport Organisation included and that focused on “Air Transport in the Recovery Mode: The Need for True Leadership” and “Realising the Potential of New Business Models and Stronger Collaboration in the Recovery of the Air Transport Industry”.

Decisions

Hermes – Air Transport Organisation Director-General Kostas Iatrou, President Jeff Poole and Vice President and Treasurer Luis Felipe De Oliveira, gave a detailed account of what has been done in recent months, in addition to presenting the annual report, proceeding with the approval of financial reports, presenting new incorporations to the Board of Directors and introducing new members of the organization, such as ALA News Editor-in-Chief, Jeff Peet.

Luis Felipe De Olivieira, who is also Director-General of Airports Council International (ACI) World, already had a relevant participation at the beginning of this Annual General Meeting, in Athens. Together with the aforementioned Minister of Tourism of Greece, Harry Theoharis, he was in charge of opening this year’s session and among the topics he referred to were the strong commitment of aviation to aspects as crucial as sustainability and the certification of airports, which have been some of the very important tasks that he has led from his position at ACI World.

Other Participants

Among other senior executives of organizations and companies of the aviation industry that gathered at the Hermes – Air Transport Organisation Annual General Meeting in Athens, were:

  • Ms. Montserrat Barriga, General Director of the European Regions Airlines Association – ERA
  • Mr. Nick Calio President and CEO of Airlines for America – A4A
  • Mr. Keith Glatz, Vice President, International Affairs of Airlines for America – A4A
  • Mr. Henrik Hololei, Director-General, Mobility and Transport, European Commission
  • Mr. Steve Knackstedt, Vice President Airline Business, Hahn Air Lines
  • Mr. Charles Schlumberger, Lead Air Transport Specialist at the World Bank Group
  • Mr. Nikos Sofiadis, Deputy Managing Director of Goldair
  • Mr. Alexander Zinnell, CEO Fraport Greece