International airline industry: Flying high or grounded?

Commercial airlines have faced daunting challenges since 9/11. Current industry realities include bankruptcy protection, soaring fuel costs, beefed-up security and fear of SARS-like outbreaks. Airlines have responded by slashing capacity and costs to save their bottom lines. Yet uncertainty still lingers and affects airports, aircraft manufacturers, suppliers, labour, tourism and government.

Commercial aviation's turmoil will be examined during the Worldwide Conference on Current Challenges in International Aviation from September 24 to 26 in Montreal. Conference topics will cover the aviation gamut: security, safety, market liberalization, liability and financial concerns.

The event is being organized by McGill University's Institute of Air & Space Law, in cooperation with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which represents 188 states, on the eve of ICAO's 35th General Assembly (from September 28 to October 8). Additional conference associates include the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Airports Council International (ACI), Concordia University's International Centre for Aviation Management Education and Research, and the Canadian Bar Association (Air & Space Law section).

The critical issues faced by commercial aviation will be addressed by a world body of legal, financial, governmental, industry and academic experts. Some 70 air transport insiders will participate in interdisciplinary panels such as:

• Are we ready for another 9/11 event?
• How are airlines, airports, aircraft manufacturers and labour coping with the financial crisis?
• How has the world community addressed aviation security?
• Are we ready for another SARS outbreak?
• How do we deal with the environmental problems posed by commercial aviation?
• Are airline alliances competitive or anti-competitive?
• Are the skies as safe as they should be?
• What is the evolving regime for air carrier liability?

Featured speakers will include ICAO's Secretary General, Dr Taïeb Chérif; IATA's Director-General, Giovanni Bisignani; and ACI's Chairman, Niels Bosrup. There will also be a number of speakers from the airlines, airport authorities, national and regional governments and regulatory agencies, academia, law firms, manufacturers and other air transport sectors. Sponsors include Aéroports de Montréal, Airbus Industries, Air Canada, Air Transat, Boeing Commercial Airplane, Bombardier, Lufthansa, Macau Airport Authority, Pratt and Whitney Canada, and a number of law firms and individuals.

The conference will be held at the Delta Centre-Ville Hotel, at 777 University St., Montreal. Please consult the website for a complete list of sessions.