Press Releases
2 May 2008 -
Qantas CEO confirms for visionary keynote
The Australia Pacific Aviation Outlook Summit 2008 is proud to announce the participation of QANTAS Chief Executive Officer Mr Geoff Dixon as keynote speaker – a first in the event’s four year history.
Delivering a visionary aviation keynote at the opening of conference proceedings at 9:00 on Tuesday 29 July, Mr Dixon's tenure as head of Qantas has coincided with a period when the global aviation industry has been under pressure to remain competitive in light of rising fuel and insurance costs, security and environmental issues in addition to the global rise of low cost carriers.
Controversially, Mr Dixon was responsible for outsourcing a range of Qantas business activities off-shore, including in-flight and IT services, in addition to establishing low-cost carrier Jetstar Airways to compete with rival carrier Virgin Blue.
But despite controversy, Mr Dixon has steered Qantas through some of the biggest crises in global aviation, solidifying his ability to deliver sustainable growth and propel Australia’s flagship carrier forward. And with other regional players such as Virgin Blue and Air New Zealand recently downgrading profit forecasts due to record fuel prices and other factors, Qantas bucked the trend, sticking to its previous profit guidance of a pre-tax profit approximately 40 per cent higher than last year's result of just over A$1 billion.
According to Mr Dixon, the Group's successful fuel hedging program, the benefits of its Two Brand Strategy and efficiency gains through the Sustainable Future Program have enabled Qantas to manage higher fuel and operating costs to-date.
“We remain confident of meeting our guidance for a 2007/08 result of at least 40 per cent higher than the 2006/07 reported profit before tax,” explained Mr Dixon.
"Our fundamentals remain very strong. Our flying businesses are well positioned in their markets, we’re progressing plans to unlock value in our portfolio businesses and our balance sheet is robust, providing flexibility to fund our future growth.
"The continuing rise of jet fuel prices is of concern, however we have hedged 34 per cent of our 2008/09 needs at a price of US$90 per barrel WTI, of which the majority is in the first half of the fiscal year and is predominantly in options.
“But if high fuel prices persist beyond this point it would be of increasing concern," Mr Dixon said.
Appointed Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Qantas in March 2001, Geoff Dixon was Chief Executive Designate from November 2000, after serving as Deputy CEO since November 1998.
The Australia Pacific Aviation Outlook Summit 2008 is scheduled for Monday 28 – Thursday 31July at the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney.
June 3, 2008 -
Fuel on the agenda at Australia Pacific Aviation Summit
Aviation leaders will discuss the fuel crisis at next month's Australia Pacific Aviation Summit in a specially arranged session.
'The evolving effect of fuel prices and its impact on Australia Pacific airlines are a key component of the agenda at the Australia Pacific Aviation Outlook Summit 2008. Designed specifically for airlines and airports, industry experts will guide you through immediate fuel efficiency techniques and alternative fuel options, focusing on the bottom line issues of cost, viability, time scales and how alternative fuels will work with existing and new aircraft technology.' said Conference Manager, Krathyn White.
The summit will once again be where leaders of the airline and aviation industries analyse and discuss threats, challenges and opportunities in the market in a bid to formulate strategies for sustainable and continued growth.
Airline CEO speakers include:
• Geoff Dixon, CEO, QANTAS
• James Hogan, CEO, Etihad
• Azran Osman-Rani, CEO, Air Asia X
• Alan Joyce, CEO, Jetstar
• Tony Davis, CEO, Tiger Airways
• Brett Godfrey, CEO, Virgin Blue
• view the full speaker list
To visit the conference website please visit www.terrapinn.com/2008/aviation or download the brochure here.
Australia Pacific Aviation Outlook Summit 2008
28-31 July 2008
Four Seasons - Sydney
For more information contact:
Krathyn White
+61 2 9021 8819
For your press pass please contact
John Burgher
john.burgher@terrapinn.com
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