Glenn Wicks, Managing Director of The Wicks Group, PLLC (TWG), moderated a panel discussion at the JITI Airport Seminar 2012, in Washington, DC, on February 1, 2012. For many years, The Wicks Group, led by Michael Fleming, a Partner with TWG, has worked with the Japan International Transport Institute, USA (JITI) in support of its seminars, and has provided research and analysis on many of the aviation related topics investigated by JITI.
The JITI Airport Seminar brought together a collection of expert airport managers from around the world – each offering his own unique perspective on how best to manage multi-airport markets such as Tokyo, Japan, and New York City, NY. Speakers and delegates at the conference discussed how to maximize the benefit of such airport markets to the carriers, cities, and passengers they serve. Mr. Makoto Washizu, President of JITI made opening remarks and introduced the delegates.
Mr. Wicks opened the Panel Discussion of the conference following an introduction from Mr. Nobukazu Nagai, JITI’s Senior Representative. Mr. Wicks led a constructive dialogue on best practices for utilizing and maximizing the potential of airports in a multiple airport catchment area.
Mr. Masahiko Kurono, Chairman, Institution for Transport Policy Studies (Former President & CEO, Narita International Airport Corporation), provided an overview of the distribution of airline service and projections for future growth at Tokyo’s two main airports – Tokyo Narita, and Tokyo Haneda.
Mr. Satoshi Iwamura, Chairman of the Board, Kansai International Airport discussed the utilization of the two airports in the Osaka region for different purposes: Osaka Kansai serves as an international airport with connecting opportunities, while Osaka Itami serves mainly domestic flights.
Mr. Ralph Tragale, Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Aviation Department, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, explained how the Port Authority operates its five airports as a portfolio to best serve the air transportation needs of the New York – New Jersey Region.
Greg Principato, President, Airports Council International – North America, discussed the importance and economic impact of airports. According to Mr. Principato, for every sixty – nine air travelers that visit the United States, one additional job is created. Mr. Principato also discussed the importance of a stable funding system in order for the U.S. airports to prosper and foster economic growth.
JITI is an independent research institute which studies various US-Japan and international transportation issues. This includes examining the economic and environmental aspects of all modes of transportation; air, maritime, and surface transportation. Recently, JITI has been particularly focused on three topics: civil aviation, environment, and high-speed rail issues.
The Wicks Group is multi-disciplinary firm that provides specialized legal and consulting services to clients with aviation and transportation related interests world-wide. Glenn Wicks regularly chairs and speaks at international aviation conferences, including chairing the 2010 and 2011 Afghanistan Air Cargo and Logistics Conference in Istanbul, Turkey, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates, respectively. For further information or questions regarding the changes and modifications found in this Final Rule, contact Glenn P. Wicks or Michael Fleming at (202) 457-7790.