If the contents of a background briefing with Christina Werkstetter, senior vice president Aviation Partnerships at Sydney Airport, is any indication as to what topics will be covered at this year’s TravelDAZE, 4-5 June at Cairns Convention Centre, then you better have bought a ticket.
Werkstetter is responsible for driving international aviation growth at Sydney Airport attracting new airlines and through working with incumbent airlines on the development of their existing services, plus she has a good handle on slots and that means a lot.
Given the recent Air Vanuatu news, New Caledonia flights cancellations and even Turkish Airlines push into Australia – there is a lot to cover.
She also offers support in air services: the mechanical and functional side of those aircraft flying in and out of Sydney. Given the limited slots, and associated costs such as labor and other services in Australia, we will be discussing how she gets an international airline interested in flying all the way here. And why they need to choose Sydney over Brisbane and Melbourne, or even Perth.
Then what happens when Western Sydney Airport comes online with international, domestic and air cargo services in late 2026?
Since joining Sydney Airport in 2013, Werkstetter has overseen a period of extensive growth in international passenger numbers and capacity, delivering substantial economic benefits to New South Wales and Australia.
But the landscape is changing quickly.
Werkstetter will be joined on the panel on Tuesday Day 1, by Australian Airports Association’s CEO James Goodwin speak with Travel Weekly Editor Grant Jones on how competition forces brands to stay ahead of the curve and stops complacency.
Goodwin was appointed CEO of the AAA in early 2020 and successfully guided it through one of its most difficult challenges in history.
He leads the AAA in supporting members and advocating for national airport policy to ensure we have a thriving aviation system that is safe, secure, competitive, environmentally responsible and with a skilled workforce to benefit all Australians and visitors.
Prior to his role at the AAA, Goodwin was the CEO of Australia’s leading vehicle safety advocate, the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) since 2015.
Time to buckle up.
