The annual, invite only event, attracts leaders and future leaders of the world’s airlines to engage in a comprehensive learning environment where the challenges and opportunities of the industry can be discussed. The conference prepares future leaders of airlines to reach their potential and manage successful companies.

“I am a firm believer in planning for the future, particularly as it relates to emerging leadership in an air carrier environment. Traditionally, airlines have failed to think about tomorrow and have been focused on today. Success in the airline business is often measured by one’s ability to arrive at work and turn the electricity on. This is a way of thinking that must be eliminated. Airlines should concentrate efforts on being a business with the goal of profitability and long-term success. People are an airline’s number one asset and investing into training and enhanced education programs is a major key in the future success of this highly volatile business,” said Dr. Wensveen.

Dr. Wensveen’s presentation, The Airline Business Plan: The Do’s and Don’ts, provided a detailed discussion on how to take the “dream” of starting an airline through the commercial launch by outlining a step by step process focused on development of the airline business plan. Additional speakers included Richard A. Asper, Chairman, Aviation Professionals Group (APG), C.A. Sutherland, President, Aviation Professionals Group, and Don Kenny, Senior Vice President, Falcon Insurance Agency. The event, attended by delegates representing approximately a dozen countries, was hosted and sponsored by APG.

“Many people share the dream of starting an airline but few know where to start. Airline Visions is a leader in educating and inspiring individuals on the start-up process. Seminars like this one present delegates with a realistic approach to achieving their dream. Discussion topics present a harsh sense of reality associated with the great challenges of launching such a business. However, delegates quickly learn how to look at such challenges as opportunities resulting in increased knowledge of what it takes to launch an airline,” said Dr. Wensveen.

Media partners for this event included: AirWaves: Global Aviation News; Airliners & Airports Magazine; and BlueSky: Business Aviation News.

In addition, there were detailed discussions on the airline start-up process. The key note speaker was Dr. John Wensveen, President & CEO, Airline Visions. Additional speakers included: Leonard Favre, Partner, 1BlueHorizon; Vinay Kumar, CEO, Datawise; Sigfus Olafsson, Manager Marketing, Loftleidir Icelandic; and Anthony Frances, Partner, Gates & Partners. Delegates in attendance represented more than a dozen countries covering the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Russia, North America, and Latin America.

“The Middle East is quickly becoming the international aviation hub of the world resulting in emerging opportunities, particularly in the airline start-up business. This seminar is the first of its kind and I look forward to developing business new relationships and enhancing existing ones in this part of the world”,
said Dr. Wensveen.

“The opportunities for new business in the Middle East is growing exponentially and we will continue to participate in assisting the region with growing training needs”, said Panagiotis Panagoploulos, CEO & Founder, Aeropodium. Media partners for this event included: Arabian Aerospace; Arab Aviation; AvWeb.com; and Airliners & Airports Magazine.

Seminar participants will be introduced to the challenges and opportunities impacting the global aviation industry as well as strategic initiatives leading to successful business operations. In addition, the seminar will concentrate on how to start an airline ranging from “dream” stage to day one commercial operations. Participants will learn the process of building and implementing a successful business model and be able to take away key factors learned through trial and error by other start-up airlines.

Dr. John Wensveen, President of Airline Visions, hosted the seminar speaking on a variety of topics including the strengths, weaknesses, challenges, and opportunities of the airline industry. He also gave a detailed presentation on airline business plan development. The primary guest speaker was Antonis Simigdalis, former President of the European Regions Airline (ERA) Association, past CEO of Olympic Air, and co-founder of Aegean Airlines. Additional guest speakers included Carole Blackshaw, Gates and Partners, and David Fisher, AON.

The next seminar on ‘How to Start an Airline’ will be presented in Dubai in March, 2012. Please contact Airline Visions or Aeropodium for additional information.

Seminars are marketed and coordinated by AeroPodium, a London-based conference and business networking firm. Seminars are delivered by Dr. John Wensveen of Airline Visions. “The global aviation industry is constantly emerging requiring decision-makers to be at the forefront of trends and opportunities.

The partnership between Airline Visions and AeroPodium assists in bringing knowledge to the industry resulting in enhanced strategic thinkers and potentially, a more efficient and profitable business”, said Panagiotis Panagopoulos, CEO, AeroPodium. “I am very excited about this relationship and look forward to working with AeroPodium and our customers to identify industry needs and deliver customized seminars representing all regions of the world”, said Dr. John Wensveen, President & CEO, Airline Visions.