Technology and innovation will drive the future of aviation but governments must start to interfere less, said the Star Alliance on the occasion of its tenth anniversary.
Speaking to 300 airline representatives from the 17 member carriers and dozens of journalists from around the world in Copenhagen, Star Alliance chief executive, Jaan Albrecht, said: ”Aircraft manufacturers are rolling out brand new models, airports are investing in modernisation and IT offers a sheer endless potential using the internet and mobile technology.
”This (technology) can generate revenue and save costs, while companies such as Nokia and Visa can be industry partners for future travel.”
And Albrecht did not pull any punches when it came to the difficulties faced by airlines in the current climate of environmental and regulatory pressures. ”We are facing additional challenges such as the environment and government putting extra fees onto an already fragile system.
”Governments do not do their homework with infrastructure on the ground and true competition is hindered by regulatory constraints; we will not rest until our members can compete in an open environment ” we will not complain about boredom during the next ten years.”
Air Canada CEO, Monty Brewer also underlined that technology for his airline was at the forefront of driving business. ”Technology lets our passengers fly the way they want to and tolerate the airport experience,” he said. ”Some 19% of our passengers now check-in online and from next month, they will use a mobile phone as a boarding pass.”
Emphasising the importance of technology, Nokia vice president multimedia, Mark Selby, also addressed the anniversary, noting that the world now owned three billion mobile phones but used four billion toothbrushes, allowing room for yet more growth.
”It”s very easy to get excited about technology and its applications, but one of the key issues establishing a dialogue with the mobile user.
”The devices that we provide have wi-fi access and if aircraft have that service on board, we can link to that. And at Amsterdam Schiphol for example, one of the TV production companies has set up a kiosk so that you can download movies and literature on to your phone ” there are no safety issues because we (would have) switched off the connectivity.”
Selby also raised the sensitive issue of whether or not passengers should be allowed to talk on mobile phones during flight. "I would be in favour of mobile phones on aircraft, but not to talk," he said.
”I don”t want to listen to another person saying: ”I”m on an aircraft.” Everyone would go crazy."