SriLankan sponsored IATA Global Aviation Human Capital Summit takes off

The SriLankan Airlines sponsored, 2nd International Air Transport Association (IATA) Global Human Capital Summit, will begin today at Hilton.

Earlier this year, SriLankan, successfully won its bid for the hosting and principal sponsor rights to the summit. As a result, the airline is playing the all-important role of a steering committee member, with a major stake in some of the decision making areas concerning the event.

The world’s leading trade group in aviation, IATA, initiated the summit as part of their continual efforts to foster learning and best practices, and prepare member airlines, over 240 of them, to face the human capital demands and challenges posed by the volatile industry.

A distinguished panel of speakers from the aviation and human resource fraternity will spearhead the summit, with discussions on attracting and retaining talent and developing the next generation of global aviation leaders in an open forum format. Other key topics include managing cost while maintaining an exceptional level of service and maximizing the use of technological advancements to engage the workforce.

Considering the global stature of the event, a number of advantages are on offer to the airline, but more importantly the country.

It is the first international aviation summit and first IATA summit to take place in Sri Lanka, and without a doubt, it will supplement Sri Lanka’s ambitions to become a global hub and the most preferred tourist destination in South Asia. The event provides a rare opportunity to showcase the best of Sri Lanka to a large group of decision-makers from the travel and tourist trades.

From the island’s convenient geographical placement in the Indian Ocean, with easy access to India and the Far East, to its vast fusion of biodiversity, colourful history, culture and traditions, all available to savour in close proximity to one another, foreign delegates will be able discover the amazing potential of the country.

Not just as a tourist destination, but as a country that is capable of hosting business events of an international calibre due to the rapidly advancing infrastructure and supporting facilities. The summit coinciding with the country’s celebration of 100 years in civil aviation comes in the way of an added bonus.

For SriLankan, the summit is a highlight of its own achievements as an exceptional contributor to the development of human resources in the aviation sector.

“From the legendary smile of our cabin crew to the hospitality that we are synonymous for, our people have been a key cornerstone of our success,” Chairman SriLankan Nishantha Wickramasinghe said.

Recently, the airline’s training arm, the International Aviation Academy (IAA), became one of IATA’s top ten Authorised Training Centres in South Asia and embarked on a series of new initiatives, including the setting up of its first overseas branch in the Maldives.

The event will provide exposure to IAA and its capabilities and potential as a major training centre in the region that is working towards meeting the talent and skill requirements of the sector.

Head of Human Resources at SriLankan Airlines, Pradeepa Kekulawala added, “We are excited to host this event and of the opportunities and exposure it will afford the airline and our country in terms of networking, and exhibiting the talent and resources.”

Vice President of Human Capital, IATA, and Guido Gianasso concluded, “We are pleased to host the second annual IATA Global Aviation Human Capital Summit in Sri Lanka, and appreciate the support of our host airline and principal sponsor, SriLankan Airlines, and the warm hospitality of the Sri Lankan people.”