Bookings now open for the Airport Operators Association annual conference

Bookings are now open for the Airport Operators Association (AOA) Annual Conference, Exhibition and Dinner & Awards Ceremony 2016. This year the event will take place on 21 and 22 November at the Hilton Metropole Hotel in London.

Across the two days, the country’s aviation industry will come together to discuss the important issues facing the sector in the years ahead. The AOA conference won ‘Conference of the Year 2015’ at this year’s Trade Association Forum awards and is the only such event in the UK aviation calendar that brings together all the main industry players under one roof.

A number of high-profile speakers have already been confirmed, including CEO of Brussels Airport Arnaud Feist. Other confirmed speakers are: Willie Walsh (IAG), David O’Brien (Ryanair), Saad Hammad (Flybe), Stewart Wingate (Gatwick), Charlie Cornish (Manchester Airports Group), Andrew Haines (CAA), Louise Ellman MP (Labour, Transport Select Committee Chair), Drew Hendry MP (SNP, Transport Group Leader in Westminster) and Graham Brady MP (Conservative, 1922 Committee Chair). A minister from the DfT will also be confirmed shortly.

The Conference & Exhibition is targeted at senior representatives from the UK airports sector together with government officials, regulators, executives and managers from across the aviation and travel industries as well as the media.

Held at the Hilton Metropole Hotel in London, the conference will be moderated by renowned ITN news anchor and television presenter, Natasha Kaplinsky.

Broadcaster and Senior Travel Editor for The Independent Simon Calder will host the AOA Dinner & Awards Ceremony.

Places can be booked by visiting the AOA Annual Conference website where early-bird discounts are available.

Chief Executive of the AOA, Darren Caplan said:

“This year’s AOA Annual Conference takes place at an important time for the industry. Following the EU Referendum and with a new Government in place, the Conference will be an opportunity to discuss and shape the future of the UK airports and aviation industry.

“Important decisions will need to be made on areas such as airport capacity, the Aviation Policy Framework refresh and the UK’s future APD regime in order to make our country a more attractive destination for visitors and demonstrate the UK is open for business.

“Our excellent speaker line-up, both from Westminster and across the aviation and travel industries, will set out their views and lead us into two days of fascinating debate.”