Brisbane secures global airline slot conference

24 Sep. 2018|News

Aviation industry decision makers set to descend on Brisbane in 2019 to ensure passengers get the best possible airline schedules in 2020

 Wednesday 19 September 2018: Brisbane is set to roll out the red carpet to more than 1200 delegates from over 230 airlines across the world when it plays host to the 145^th International Air Transport Association (IATA) Slot Conference from 12-15 November 2019.

A consortium of tourism advocates, including Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC), Brisbane Marketing, Tourism Australia, Tourism and Events Queensland, and Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, combined forces to bring this fiercely sought after conference to Queensland.

Following the hugely successful Routes Asia Forum held in Brisbane early this year, this bi-annual conference is one of IATA’s largest events bringing airlines and airports together to negotiate slots that will give them the best possible schedule to offer their passengers.

The conference also provides perfect opportunity to showcase the best of our city and region to a global audience keen on identifying and establishing future flight routes across the world.

Gert-Jan de Graaff, BAC Chief Executive Officer, said, “Being the host airport and city for this global conference is critical in keeping our city and state front of mind for key route development decision makers from around the world.

“There is enormous competition for airlines to secure the best ‘slots’ at key airports and with Brisbane’s new runway coming on line in 2020, now is the time for airlines to be securing highly sought-after peak time slots to enhance and grow their operations.”

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said securing hosting rights for the IATA conference once again demonstrated Brisbane’s new world city status.

“This significant aviation conference perfectly aligns with the Brisbane 2022 New World City Action Plan for economic growth by furthering our focus on securing more direct air routes, building our visitor economy and hosting more high-calibre business events,” Cr Quirk said.

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said the 145^th International Air Transport Association (IATA) Slot Conference would pump more than $2.3 million into the Queensland economy.

“This event will bring to Queensland some of the biggest players in international aviation to negotiate for the most sought-after slots on the planet,” she said.

“It’s the perfect opportunity to showcase our state to the world but will also open up discussions around how we can continue to strategically grow tourism in Queensland through aviation.

“Hosting this conference will help grow existing routes and identify new opportunities for Queensland.”

Tourism Australia Managing Director, John O’Sullivan said that the IATA Slot Conference had been secured with support from its Business Events Bid Fund and was another great opportunity to showcase Australia’s impressive capabilities in event delivery.

“Sustainable aviation capacity is crucial to Australia’s visitor economy and a key focus of Tourism Australia’s work. Securing next year’s IATA Slot Conference is part of a broader strategy for aviation development, alongside Routes Asia and World Routes.

“Bringing this influential group of decision-makers to Australia next year is a real coup and will certainly help ensure we remain top of mind in an increasingly competitive marketplace,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre General Manager, Bob O’Keeffe said the Centre was honoured to play a part in securing such a strategic conference crucial to the future development and growth of Brisbane.

“Hosting the 145^th International Air Transport Association (IATA) Slot Conference 2019 will build on the momentum of the successful hosting of the Routes Asia Conference held earlier this year and continues the Centre’s strong association with the aviation industry.“

The IATA Slot Conference location is chosen according to a rotation between three global regions.

Registration for this event will open in August next year and further information will be available via www.iata.org/slotconference in the coming months.