Cape Town to play host to international airline industry

The second, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Fuel conference is scheduled to take place in May 2005 and will see a further 300 airline delegates visit the city.

These two conferences combined have a potential economic impact of R273 million for Cape Town, representing approximately 1 200 bed nights in the city, which will make a positive contribution to the local economy while assisting to create job opportunities in the hospitality industry and sustainable tourism to the region.

For the past 50 years the ISMC has gathered experts in interline relations, alliance development and distribution technology from around the world. It is the oldest, annual airline conference of its kind and includes representatives from approximately 120 airlines worldwide, including Air Canada, American Airlines, Alitalia, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, British Airways, KLM, Virgin Atlantic and Lufthansa.

Susana Goffi, the 2004 ISMC local organising committee chairperson, (also with the South African Airways American office - the official host of the conference) believes that it will provide a valuable forum for discussion while at the same time bring to light some of the industry's trends and challenges.

"Interlining offers airlines access to destinations that they do not serve directly by coordinating services with other airlines. Through interlining, passengers can purchase a single ticket in a single currency to any destination on two or more airlines for less than purchasing separate tickets. Over $60 Billion per year or about 21% of airline industry revenues is represented by interlining," comments
Goffi.

The second conference to be held by the IATA in 2005 represents and promotes the interests of its members in all aspects of jet fuel management, with a focus on ensuring the reliable supply of quality jet fuel to airports world wide at optimal price levels. The IATA works with industry suppliers and service providers from the refinery process through to the delivery of fuel, establishing internationally recognised industry standards and procedures.

Nokhuthula Dube, CEO of Cape Town and the Western Cape's Destination Marketing Organisation believes that these conferences are both timely and relevant given the importance of the airlines industry to the growth of tourism within the Western Cape.

"There are many challenges within the international and local airline industry at present from the potential fuel crisis to the lack of adequate airlift for Cape Town. Both these conferences will, whether directly or indirectly, highlight these dilemmas using the city of Cape Town as its backdrop, representing a great opportunity for us to market the potential of our region to this influential audience," concludes Dube.