SINGAPORE. Well conceived, some strong presentations, but patchy in several sessions. That was the general verdict on The Gate One conference, organised by TFWA and held in Singapore yesterday.
The event focused on the theme of business innovation in non-aeronautical revenue sectors.
In a mixed day, highlights were the closing presentation by Incheon International Airport Corporation General Manager Retail Marketing Bum-Ho Kim and a strong panel discussion on the importance of commercial revenues in airport planning. This featured Macquarie Airports CEO Kerrie Mather; Narita Airport Authority Manager Toshiaki Kanzaki; Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore Assistant Commercial Director Jeffrey Loke and Fraport Head of Strategy and Business Development – International Jean-Claude Higelin.
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| AirAsia’s Bruce Musick (top left) was one of the stand-out speakers in a mixed Gate One conference Photos by Salina Christmas | |
Bruce Musick, CEO SkyServ Holdings, the AirAsia catering-to-retail arm, also impressed, challenging the superficial coverage and analysis of the low cost carrier market. He also pointed out that as low cost airlines such as AirAsia had such an influential role in the development of airports, they would also increasingly seek participation in the commercial activities at those locations.
DFS Group Global Vice President – Marketing and Business Development Jim Beighley also challenged some traditional industry conceptions, notably that low cost carriers meant low quality spenders (“We don’t believe it means lower spenders at all”) and the lumping together of consumer groups by nationality rather than more scientific breakdown. Increasing passenger spend was driven by three key factors, he said:
– Understanding your consumer and yourself (the retailer)
– Paying attention to the importance of experience
– Exceeding people’s expectations
We’ll present a full round-up of Gate One and the TFWA Asia Pacific conference in coming days.
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| Bum-Ho Kim (top left) of Incheon International Airport Corporation delivered an outstanding presentation, rich in detail, which underlined the impressive commercial revenues growth at the Korean gateway; the event was moderated by Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation head Peter Harbison Photos by Salina Christmas | |
