Inaugural Australian Aviation Summit set for August

Inaugural Australian Aviation Summit set for August

Two years after launching the inaugural Australian Aviation Awards, Momentum Media’s aviation brand Australian Aviation is proud to announce another landmark event in its four-decade history.

The inaugural Australian Aviation Summit 2024 brings together industry leaders, innovators, and enthusiasts for an unparalleled exchange of ideas and insights.

As the aviation sector embarks on a period of innovation and advancement, the industry’s leading experts will gather at the brand-new Australian Aviation Summit 2024 in August.

The summit will be held with support from principal partner and engineering company Leidos on Thursday, 29 August 2024 at The Star, Sydney. Click here to book your tickets.

The inaugural Australian Aviation Summit will bring together industry leaders, innovators, and enthusiasts for an unparalleled exchange of new ideas through keynote addresses and a jam-packed agenda filled with panel sessions.

As the aviation industry navigates a post-COVID pandemic world, it is vital to discuss these issues in this public forum.

The summit is a platform for networking, collaboration, and education, as the industry’s best and brightest share their insights on industry trends, regulatory updates, technological developments, future trajectory, opportunities and challenges, and strategies to propel the domestic aviation sector to new heights.

Following an introduction from Leidos Australia and Asia chief executive Paul Chase, the first session will explore how Australia could become a global leader in sustainable aviation fuel production to help meet our ambitious net zero emissions targets by 2050.

A panel of speakers will delve into Australia’s current standing in the pursuit of sustainable fuel technologies, and the complexities involved in creating a sustainable fuel industry.

Speakers will ask critical questions about whether sustainable aviation fuels offer a viable and long-term solution or if they are merely a stopgap solution before transitioning towards more sustainable energy sources.

The second session will centre on the landmark Aviation White Paper, which the federal government is due to release in the next few weeks. It marks a pivotal moment in shaping the future of Australia’s aviation industry up to 2050.

The terms of reference stated that the white paper would articulate long-term policy directions and pave the way for the next generation of growth and innovation in the aviation sector.

It also said the white paper would detail the federal government’s policies on desired aviation outcomes in relation to efficiency, safety, sustainability, and competitiveness to ensure the sector is positioned appropriately to deliver aviation services for the Australian public and international visitors out to 2050.

A panel of speakers will assess the successes and shortcomings of the whitepaper, and whether the government’s vision aligns with the industry’s goals and where potential gaps exist.

As the industry continues to grapple with the aftermath of COVID, they will discuss topics such as competition dynamics within the aviation market, the integration of future technologies to enhance operational efficiency and safety, and the policies required to ensure the domestic aviation sector keeps pace with the evolving landscape and competes on the global stage.

The aviation workforce will be in sharp focus in one session where speakers will debate how the sector could encourage the next generation to pursue careers in aviation (particularly as pilots and engineers) while addressing short-term requirements and long-term sustainability.

They will unpack the strategies that could help the sector overcome labour shortages (exacerbated by the pandemic as a large segment of the workforce either retired or were made redundant) and create a new generation of aviation leaders.

Building on these issues, speakers in the following session will uncover how the sector could reduce the gender divide and attract more women into the industry. They will propose strategies to promote STEM education for young women and enhance recruitment.

The speakers will also suggest how to support career development through mentorship programs and leadership training, while advocating for policy changes including implementing quotas for representation of women on boards and leadership teams, promoting pay parity, and enforcing anti-discrimination laws.

The summit will conclude with insights from key players driving global innovation on the exciting future of Australia’s drone sector and new technological developments that could revolutionise it.

Several notable speakers will participate in the summit, including:

  • Christian Bennett: chief corporate affairs and sustainability officer, Virgin Australia
  • Jesse Suskin: head of government relations and public policy, Google Wing (Alphabet Inc)
  • Kirsty Anne Ferguson: founder, Pinstripe Solutions – Aviation Interview Preparation

More speakers will be announced in the weeks ahead.

The Australian Aviation Summit 2024 will be held on Thursday, 29 August 2024 at The Star, Sydney.

Click here to book your tickets and don’t miss out!

For more information, including agenda and speakers, click here.