Aviation summit takes off
NORTH West business leaders and aviation experts are today analysing the challenges and opportunities for Manchester Airport.
The international event, which will culminate in a gala dinner this evening, coincides with the official opening of the airport’s £80m Concorde Conference Centre.
Three panel debates will examine the strategy surrounding the Middle East, the US and India over the next five to 10 years against the context of the global recession.
The event has been organised by Manchester Airport, Marketing Manchester and MIDAS, Manchester’s inward investment agency, and by the North West Development Agency.
Public sector panel speakers include Sir Howard Bernstein, chief executive of Manchester city council, Colin Sinclair and Tim Newns from MIDAS, and Andrew Stokes, chief executive of Marketing Manchester.
From the world of business there is Brian Smith, vice president of the US-owned Waters Corporation; Uday Dholakia, MD of Global Consulting UK;
Dilip Kakar, manager, finance and administration – UK & Ireland for Kingfisher Airlines and Shahsi Kant Kaundal, head of Birmingham operation for Air India.
Colin Sinclair, chief executive of MIDAS, said: “This is a landmark event in our ongoing campaign to show the world that Manchester and indeed the North West is the right choice for businesses worldwide, in support of the development of strategic air routes into and out of Manchester Airport.”
