APEX/IFSA EXPO makes welcome return

After a year-long break caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions, APEX/IFSA EXPO returns to Long Beach.

A condensed three-day event begins with a day of thought leadership insights and general sessions.

Following the recent APEX TECH webinar that explored the emergence of low-Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations and discussed whether or not they signal a move away from traditional GEO satellites, the discussion continues with a look at the activities and plans of a few LEO satellite service providers.

Joining moderator Mary ‎Rogozinsk Netforecast’s Director of Business Development is OneWeb Vice President Mobility Ben Griffin, Starlink Vice President of Commercial ‎Sales Jonathan Hofeller and Telesat Regional Sales Vice President America ‎Philippe Schleret.

‎At the beginning of the year, WestJet was rated one of the top 20 COVID-compliant airlines by AirlineRatings. Running concurrently with the technology session, WestJet’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tammy McKnight joins SimpliFlying Founder and CEO Shashank Nigam is joined by Monica Gandhi MD, ‎MPH, Professor of Clinical Medicine University of ‎California at San Francisco, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University ‎Neuroscientist Dr. Stathis Kefallonitis to explore how the aviation industry is recovering from the pandemic and is preparing for the coming winter and beyond.

Following this session, the focus turns to environmental sustainability, one of the APEX Board of Governors priorities for this year.

Airbus Head of Cabin Market Insights ‎Stefan List is joined by Plug and Play Managing Director Amir Amidi, Silverdraft CEO Amy Gile, Star Alliance CEO Jeffrey Goh and JSX CEO and LATAM Board of Directors Alex Wilcox to learn how reducing weight, embracing sustainable aviation fuel, using single use plastics and more are reducing their respective carbon footprints.

There then follows an APEX/IFSA Board of Governors Discussion, before BBC World News Talking Business Presenter Aaron Heslehurst interviews United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby.

After lunch, World Class Awards will be presented, before the day’s formalities conclude with CEO keynotes from Saudia Airlines CEO Captain Ibrahim Koshy and Turkish Airlines Chairman & GCEO Ilker Ayci.