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| IATA Director General Tony Tyler |
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called for airlines, governments, and industry stakeholders to guide the development of the commercial airline industry into its next century with a global mindset and based on a foundation of global standards.
“The key to unlocking aviation’s future potential is a global mindset supported by strong partnerships. Aviation connects people and business to make “global” possible. Securing aviation’s future begins with some immediate challenges.
Airlines must be profitable, safe and secure businesses. We need to provide efficient, customer-focused services. And sustainability must be integral to everything that we do,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO.
Tyler’s comments were made in his State of the Industry address to the 70th IATA Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit in Doha, Qatar. The meeting takes place as the industry commemorates the 100th anniversary of scheduled commercial flight.
“Scheduled commercial aviation began with a single passenger on a 23-minute journey across Tampa Bay, Florida on 1 January 1914. Since then, aviation has changed the world immeasurably for the better,” said Tyler.
This year, airlines will connect 3.3 billion people and 52 million tonnes of cargo over 50,000 routes, supporting 58 million jobs and delivering goods with a value of $6.8 trillion.
“In a team effort of committed partners, aviation literally moves the global economy. And by working together with a global mindset, there is enormous potential still to be achieved,” he noted.
