Global Aviation Issues Conference
Collocated with the exhibition, Global Aviation Issues Conference is a 2-day conference that will bring together over 500 attendees – including Saudi transport and aviation leaders and global experts and suppliers, who will discuss how they can collaborate to deliver the Kingdom’s aviation strategy over the next decade. To sponsor, speak or register as a delegate for the conference, please click here.
9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Registration and Networking Break
10:00 -10:10 a.m.
Welcome and Overview
Heba Gouda, Vice President, Global Operations, American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE)
Session 1
10:10 - 11:00 a.m.
Current State and Future of Aviation – Regional and Global Connectivity – Examine the role of aviation in connecting regions and facilitating economic development, including challenges and opportunities in regional aviation networks.
Speakers
- Mahmoud Idris, Commercial Director, Bagpoint for Information Technology (moderator)
- Osama Shasha, General Manager, Middle East Task Company (METCO), Saudi Arabia
- Forth Bagley, Principal, Kohn Pedersen Fox
- Giulio De Carli, Managing Partner, OneWorks
- Mahmoud Almashriqi, Business Development Manager, HUB Parking / FAAC Technologies
Session 2
11:00 - 12:00 p.m.
Airline Industry Trends and Challenges – Examine the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the global airline industry, including market consolidation and competition.
Speakers
- Dr. Dan Wong (Ph.D. MITE), Associate Professor and Aviation Program Leader, Department of Management, Prince Sultan University (moderator)
- Sheikh Aimen Al Hosni, Chief Executive Officer, Oman Airports
- Kashif Khalid, Regional Director – Middle East & Africa, International Air Transport Association (IATA)
- Peter Bellew, Chief Operating Officer, Riyadh Air
- Sanjiv Edward, CEO, GMR Cargo
12:00 - 12:30 p.m.
Networking Break and visit with Saudi Airport Exhibition exhibitors
Session 3
12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Regulatory Frameworks and International Cooperation – Discuss the role of international organizations, such as ICAO and IATA, as well as the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and other state aviation authorities, in shaping aviation regulations and promoting global cooperation.
Speakers
- David Adebiyi, Chief Commercial Officer, Global Air Navigation Services LLC (moderator)
- Mohammad T. Kushan, Senior Representative, Middle East and North Africa, Federal Aviation Administration
- Binit Somaia, Director, CAPA India
- Carissa VanderMey, TSA Senior Liaison Officer to CISA and Cybersecurity Coordinator for Security Operations, Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
- Captain Sulaiman Al Jaber, Aviation Expert/Flight Operations Inspector/Examiner/Captain, The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
Session 4
1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Emerging Technologies in Aviation – Explore innovations like electric and hybrid aircraft, autonomous flight, advanced air mobility (AAM) and future air traffic management systems.
Speakers
- Volker Brandt, CEO, Tramak gmbh (moderator)
- George Fenergi, Regional Vice President, Middle East & North Africa, SITA
- Joyce Abou Moussa, Deputy Director of International Development, Groupe ADP
- Carole Dupré, Head of ATM activities, Egis
- Dominik Högl, Key Account Manager, EIZO
2:30 - 3:45 p.m.
Networking Lunch and visit with Saudi Airport Exhibition exhibitors
Session 5
3:45 - 4:45 p.m.
Resilience and Crisis Management in Aviation: Examine strategies for building resilience within the aviation sector to withstand unexpected crises, from natural disasters and geopolitical tensions to cyberattacks and pandemics. Discuss best practices in crisis response, risk assessment, and business continuity planning to ensure the industry’s ability to adapt and recover swiftly when faced with adversity.
Speakers
- Prof. (Dr.) Dewakar Goel, Chairman, Aero Academy of Aviation Science and Management, Ex. Executive Director Airports AuthorityofIndia, Director Indian Aviation Academy, GovtofIndia (moderator)
- Delip Prasad, Head of Market MENA, Munich International Airport
- Vicki Hughes, Aviation Associate Director & Head of Sustainability, Egis
- Ing. Bruno Rampinelli Rota, Aviation Division Managing Director, To70 Italia
- Mohammed Salem, Corporate Planning Director, Yemenia
4:45 - 6:00 p.m.
Visit with Saudi Airport Exhibition exhibitors
9:00 -10:00 a.m.
Registration
Keynote
10:00 -10:10 a.m.
Global Gateways, Urban Transformations, and the Design of Abu Dhabi International Airports Terminal A
Mustafa Chehabeddine, Principal, Kohn Pedersen Fox
Session 6
10:10 - 11:00 a.m.
Digital Transformation and Aviation 4.0: Explore the impact of digital technologies, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, new aircraft technologies (e-VTOLs) and the Internet of Things (IoT) on the aviation industry. Discuss how these technologies are revolutionizing aircraft maintenance, operations, passenger experiences, existing airport models and air traffic management.
Speakers
Ian Bache, Director of EuMEA Airports, Collins Aerospace (Moderator)
Abdul Razzak Mikati, Managing Director, DTP
Ertugrul Ozkaptan, Head of Commercial & CFO, AVITO
Manik Arora, PE, President & CEO, Arora Engineers
Mauro Roncari, CEO, Softech
Session 7
11:00 - 12:00 p.m.
Aviation Security and Cybersecurity – Address the evolving threats to aviation security and the need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect critical aviation infrastructure.
Speakers
Eng. Ahmad R. Sagr, Chief Operating Officer, Saudi Sicli
Mohammad Idriss, Solution Architect Manager, Red Hat
Carissa VanderMey, TSA Senior Liaison Officer to CISA and Cybersecurity Coordinator for Security Operations, Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
Massimo Cugusi, International Business Development Manager, General Security Italy-Forte Secur Group
12:00 - 12:30 p.m.
Networking Break and visit with Saudi Airport Exhibition exhibitors
Session 8
12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Human Capital and Workforce Development – Discuss strategies for attracting, retaining, and developing a skilled aviation workforce, including pilots, air traffic controllers, and maintenance personnel, as well as women in aviation issues.
Speakers
- Dr. Dan Wong (Ph.D. MITE), Associate Professor and Aviation Program Leader, Department of Management, Prince Sultan University (moderator)
- Lodewijk de Boer, Senior Project Manager, NACO, Netherlands Airport Consultants
- Sara Ali Al Gaeiti, Executive Director Human Capital Strategy, SAL Saudi Logistics Services
- Dominic Storey, Management Partnership Director, daa International
- Nesreen Yacoub Kashgari, Director, Talent Acquisition & Human Capital Operation, Saudia Technic
Session 9
1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Sustainable Aviation: Addressing Environmental Challenges – Discuss the aviation industry’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions, improve fuel efficiency, and adopt sustainable aviation fuels.
Speakers
- Professor Mohammad Nurunnabi, Aide to the President and Chair in Accounting, Prince Sultan University (Moderator)
- Mohamed Al Ghailani, Regional Lead, Global Sustainability Policy & Partnerships, Boeing International
- Ayce Celikel, President, Green Airport Working Group at PROAVIA – French Trade association for Airport Technology
- Dr. Senthil Chinnasamy, Chief Scientific Officer, AARKSEE Group of Companies
- Viknesh Subramanian, VP – Sustainability, AARKSEE Group of Companies
- Lana Surface, Deputy Cultural Attaché, US Embassy
2:30 - 3:45 p.m.
Networking Lunch and visit with Saudi Airport Exhibition exhibitors
Session 10
3:45 - 4:45 p.m.
Collaborative Approaches to Aviation Problem Solving – Explore cooperation, knowledge sharing, and partnership within the aviation industry and beyond, such as public-private partnerships, data sharing and analysis, and innovation incubators like AAAE’s Airport Consortium for Transformation (ACT) and MWAA’s Idea Lab.
Speakers
- Adam Ekman Pedersen, Airport Commerce & Customer Experience Advisor, NACO, Netherlands Airport Consultants (Moderator)
- Alexander Larisch, Managing Director, Fraport Saudi Arabia
- Marios Sentris, Program Director and Practice Lead – Aviation, Parsons
- Prof. (Dr.) Dewakar Goel, Chairman, Aero Academy of Aviation Science and Management, Ex. Executive Director Airports AuthorityofIndia, Director Indian Aviation Academy(GovtofIndia)
- Nagy Abu Zeid, VP Corporate Planning, Oman Airports
4:45 - 5:00 p.m.
Closing Remarks for the Conference
5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Visit with Saudi Airport Exhibition exhibitors
Sponsorships and Programme Information?
Please contact Daksha Patel, Event Director at
Email: daksha@nicheideas.net or
Call: +971 56 6907668
