The air traffic management industry's largest event in the Asia Pacific region is winging its way to Queenstown this week.
A record 170 air navigation specialists are converging on the resort for the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) conference today and tomorrow.
Airways New Zealand chief executive Ed Sims said in a statement the talks were vital to ensure the sustainability of travel and tourism to this country and in the Asia Pacific region.
‘‘Our region is facing a period of unprecedented growth. The projected increase in traffic and airspace congestion will have a profound impact on safety, efficiency, environmental sustainability and the wider economy.''
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), air travel to Asia Pacific will rise 30%, to near three billion journeys, within 20 years. That is about half of the world's air travel.
Speakers include Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon, CANSO director general Jeff Poole, CANSO Asia Pacific chair Kevin Shum - who is also Singapore's Civil Aviation Authority director-general - and IATA's regional director of safety and flight operations Asia Pacific, Blair Cowles.
Transport Minister Simon Bridges will speak.
