OREANDA-NEWS. The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) 2016 World Financial Symposium (WFS) will focus on building high-performing finance organizations within airlines as a pillar to achieving sustained financial health.

Alexandre de Juniac, who joins IATA as Director General and CEO on 1 September, will deliver his first major industry address in this role at WFS.

This year the airline industry is expected to earn a net profit of $39.4 billion, which would be the best earnings in its history. It also will be only the second year—and the second in a row—in which airlines will make an aggregate return in excess of their cost of capital. However, profitability is not evenly spread, with wide regional variations.

“After years of hard work and difficult restructuring, the airline industry is starting to deliver sustainable levels of profitability. The challenge now is to maintain it throughout the business cycle. Building a high-performing finance organization can be a vital asset in this effort,” said Aleks Popovich, IATA Senior Vice President, Financial and Distribution Services.

The WFS will be held in Singapore, 21-23 September 2016. Program highlights include addresses by Alan Joyce, Qantas CEO, and Michael Doersam, Emirates Senior Vice President, Group Finance. In addition to their speaking roles, both will participate in a high-level panel discussion focused on the contribution of the finance organization as a strategic partner of the CEO.

Specialized session tracks at WFS will address:

  • Effective enterprise risk management
  • Trends in credit and financial risk management
  • Future of financial technologies
  • Supporting airline retailing 
  • Addressing complex taxes
  • Payment options and managing them effectively
  • Key IFRS challenges