AGM 2025 Program & Highlights

A low oil price and a shift in the narrative has called into question the drive for renewable energy at all costs. The headlong rush to replace fossil fuels with new energy sources is being replaced by a more holistic view that accepts the demand for fossil fuels will remain for some time. This session deep dives into all the factors affecting the energy transition, from energy security to biofuel blending credits and the Carbon Offsetting Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).

• Gauri Jauhar, Executive Director, S&P Global
• Rob McLeod, Head of Energy Risk Solutions, Hartree Partners
• Christof Rühl, Senior Research Scholar, Center on Global Energy Policy, Columbia University

Moderator: Clare Sebastian, Correspondent, CNN International

> Opening video

Moving from a fossil fuel-based economy to a renewable energy economy is extremely complex and requires intense collaboration and robust investments into new technologies. But these solutions require a level of global coordination that isn’t happening today, and the airline industry faces a patchwork quilt of regulations that is adding unnecessary cost. Is the finance available for aviation’s $4.7 trillion journey to net zero? And is the carrot or the stick the best policy to stimulate the market?

• Patrick Healy, Group Chair, Cathay Pacific
• Lynn Guiney, Chief Commercial Officer, Macquarie AirFinance

Moderator: Richard Quest, Anchor, CNN International

> Finance Net Zero Roadmap (pdf)

> Opening video

The revision to UN Article 8 has sparked an intense debate on the taxation of international aviation. Tax is a part of doing business, but policymakers need to be educated about the unique position of airlines and the needs of the industry if it is to continue being a socioeconomic force for good. Airline networks and the associated benefits of connectivity can be affected by taxation policies and governments must understand the full implications—financial or otherwise—of their decisions.

• Irene Louth, Vice President Taxation, Global Head of Tax, Atlas Air Worldwide; Adjunct Professor
  University of Connecticut
• Vinod Kalloe, KPMG EMA Tax Policy Leader, KPMG

Fact sheet: Taxes and Addressing CO2 Emissions (pdf)

> Opening video

Payment methods are proliferating in the passenger and corporate arenas. Each has its challenges, and the difficulty is in determining the value for all parties. But airlines have a long history of innovation in payment and are embracing new alternatives. This session with four payment experts assesses the trends that are already evident and those on the horizon.

• Christine Rovelli, Chief Revenue Officer, Finnair
• Swati Tandon, Partner, McKinsey and Company
• Pascal Burg, Director, Edgar, Dunn & Company
• Tamur Goudarzi Pour, EVP Strategy & Member of the Group Executive Committee, Lufthansa Group

Moderator: Clare Sebastian, Correspondent, CNN International

Airlines magazine articles:

• Modern Airline Retailing continues to develop the customer experience
• Scanning the payment landscape

> Opening video

Safe and seamless operations rely on the guidance of the Chief Operations Officer (COO). But what does it take to ensure reliable, on-time performance? Every day brings a variety of challenges, from supply chain issues to crewing. Just to get a single flight airborne takes considerable planning and relies on all stakeholders in the value chain to play their part. On top of it all, safety is paramount. Learn from three leading COOs about balancing cost management with safety and the need for a long-term strategy as they strive for ever-greater operational efficiency.

Sponsored by Securiport

• Isidre Porqueras, COO, IndiGo
• George Kamal, COO, Kenya Airways
• Dorota Dmuchowska, COO/Board Member, LOT Polish Airlines

Moderator: Richard Quest, Anchor, CNN International

Fact sheet: Net Zero 2050: Operational & Infrastructure Improvements (pdf)

> Opening video

• Amitabh Khosla, Country Director India, Nepal & Bhutan, IATA

Presentation: India briefing (pdf)

• Rafael Schvartzman, Regional VP, Europe, IATA

Presentation: Europe briefing (pdf)

• Peter Cerda, Regional VP, The Americas, IATA

Presentation: Americas briefing (pdf)

• Kamil Alawadhi, Regional VP, Africa & Middle East, IATA

Presentation: Africa & Middle East briefing (pdf)

Press release: $1.3 Billion in Airline Funds Blocked by Governments

• Marie Owens Thomsen, Senior VP Sustainability and Chief Economist, IATA
• Hemant Mistry, Director Energy Transition, IATA
• Preeti Jain, Head Net Zero Research and Programs

Presentation: Sustainability briefing (pdf)

Press release: Policy Shortcomings Puts SAF Production at Risk

> Sustainability fact sheets

• Pieter Elbers, CEO, IndiGo

• Willie Walsh, Director General, IATA
• Pieter Elbers, CEO, IndiGo and Chair, IATA Board of Governors 2024-2025

• Marie Owens Thomsen, Senior VP Sustainability & Chief Economist, IATA

Presentation: Global Outlook: Airlines, Fuel, Capacity and Profits (pdf)

• Xie Xingquan, Regional VP, North Asia, IATA

Presentation: North Asia briefing (pdf)

• Nick Careen, Senior VP, Operations, Safety and Security, IATA

Presentation: Safety & Operations briefing (pdf)

> Safety, Security and Operations fact sheets

• Leslie MacIntosh, Corporate Corporate Secretary and Acting General Counsel, IATA

Presentation: Regulatory Affairs briefing (pdf)

• Willie Walsh, Director General, IATA
• Pieter Elbers, CEO, IndiGo