SriLankan hosts IATA Human Capital Summit

Sri Lanka’s ambitions to become a global aviation hub will get a massive boost later this year, with national carrier SriLankan Airlines hosting the second International Air Transport Association (IATA) Global Human Capital Summit here in November 2012.

This is the first time that an IATA event is being hosted in Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka succeeded in the bid beating both Singapore and Abu Dhabi.

The summit, which is on track to become an annual event was launched last year in Singapore by IATA, the world’s leading aviation industry trade group representing about 240 airlines.

The event is the foremost gathering of key-decision makers from the discipline of HRM across the aviation sector worldwide, and is expected to draw over 150 participants this year representing over 60 airlines.

The three day summit, from November 12 to 14 is expected to attract a large number of global heads of human capital, their deputies and the global heads of training and development from airlines, airports and aviation authorities. The cost of hosting the event is expected to be around d Rs. 8 million.

Vice President of Human Capital, IATA, Guido Gianasso stated, “We have chosen SriLankan for its position at the heart of Asia. The island has a growing tourism industry, a well-educated and client oriented population and a dynamic airline which is providing great support in organizing this industry event. We look forward to meeting in Colombo.”

The November Summit will feature distinguished speakers from inside and outside the air travel industry’s human resource fraternity and will discuss a wide array of topics from attracting and retaining talent to developing the next generation of global aviation leaders. Other key topics will include managing cost while maintaining a exceptional level of service and maximizing the use of technological advancements to engage the workforce.

The summit will give Sri Lanka’s aviation industry, which coincidently celebrates its 100th year of aviation, some of the exposure and learning it will need to manage its hub ambitions, while also opening up linkages with piers from around the world as the hub concept takes shape. Sri Lanka is also on target to receive over 2.5 million tourists by 2016, a 30 percent compounded growth over five years, which will require a massive effort in human resource development to sustain the growth momentum.

“The dynamism and effectiveness of human resources has been a key corner stone of SriLankan, from the legendary smile of our cabin crew to the hospitality that we are synonymous for,’’ Chairman SriLankan Airlines Nishantha Wickramasinghe said.

“The IATA Global Human Capital Summit comes to Sri Lanka at an opportune time as we finally come close to realising the island’s full potential to be an air hub.”

SriLankan’s Head of Human Resources, Pradeepa Kekulawala said, ”Building human capital to compliment immerging business needs is the greatest challenge in the industry in present times. This is of paramount importance to our country as we need to bridge the skill divide between us and the leading carriers, if we are to boast of a competitive edge in our endeavours to take the airline to greater heights. The IATA Human Capital Summit would bring home the best minds in talent building and optimizing in the aviation industry thus affording us the opportunity to learn best practices from them.”

He said that their senior staff members too would get a golden opportunity to network with global HR leaders thus gaining valuable exposure.

(SS)