Routes Asia 2024

The route development forum for Asia

Langkawi, Malaysia
• 27 – 29 February 2024

Conference Programme Speakers

Datuk Captain Izham bin Ismail

Group Managing Director, Malaysia Aviation Group

Datuk Captain Izham bin Ismail is an Executive Director of Malaysia Airlines Berhad. He currently holds the position of Group Managing Director of the Malaysia Aviation Group and Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Airlines Berhad. He is also a member of the Board Safety and Security Committee. He has 40 years of experience in the aviation industry, having started his career with Malaysia Airlines as a pilot in 1979.

Appointed to a management position just 10 years after joining Malaysia Airlines, Datuk Captain Izham moved up the ranks over the years and has held various management positions such as Executive Vice President of Flight Operations, Director of Operations and Chief Operations Officer (COO) of Malaysia Airlines. Datuk Captain Izham also served as CEO of MASwings, Malaysia Airlines’ sister company in Sabah and Sarawak, between July and November 2016.

Apart from his extensive aviation experience, Datuk Captain Izham currently serves as Board member of Tourism Malaysia.

As a pilot, Datuk Captain Izham broke world aviation records when he flew Malaysia Airlines’ first Boeing 777-200 eastward from Seattle to Kuala Lumpur and back. The flight set new world records for longest flight and fastest round-the-world flight by a commercial airliner, with a total flight time of 41 hours 59 minutes over a distance of 23,310 miles.

Participating Talks and Sessions

Subhas Menon

Director General, Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA)

Participating Talks and Sessions

Patee Sarasin

Chief Executive Officer, Really Cool Airlines

With a rich and diverse background spanning over two decades, Patee has built an impressive career that includes significant roles in media, entertainment, and of course, aviation. As the former CEO of Nok Air, Patee demonstrated his exceptional ability to lead, inspire, and create unique and memorable experiences for travelers. His success in transforming Nok Air into a household name in Thailand is a testament to his unwavering commitment to excellence.

Now, as the CEO of Really Cool Airlines, Patee has set his sights on revolutionizing the way we travel in Thailand and beyond. His vision is to create an airline that not only offers exceptional service and unparalleled customer experiences but also contributes significantly to the growth and prosperity of Thailand’s aviation industry and economy.

Patee’s infectious enthusiasm, keen business acumen, and creative flair are at the very heart of Really Cool Airlines. His hands-on approach to leadership ensures that every member of our team feels empowered, inspired, and motivated to bring their best to the table.

Under Patee’s guidance, Really Cool Airlines is set to soar to new heights. We invite you to embark on this thrilling journey, and together, we’ll redefine the future of aviation in Thailand.

Participating Talks and Sessions

Stefano Baronci

Director General, Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific and Middle East

Mr. Stefano Baronci serves as the Director General of Airports Council International Asia-Pacific & Middle East (APAC & MID), an organization dedicated to advocating for the airport industry in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions. Appointed in December 2019, Mr. Baronci is responsible for leading the implementation of the association's strategic agenda while also leading a team of dedicated professionals based at the Regional Office headquarters in Hong Kong and the Middle East office located in Riyadh.

With more than two decades of extensive experience in analytical and representational roles within the aviation sector, Mr. Baronci brings a wealth of expertise at both national and international levels, representing the interests of both airport and airline industries. His familiarity with the ACI community is evident from his previous roles as Director of Economics at ACI World in Montreal and Senior Policy Manager at ACI Europe in Brussels. Additionally, he has held the position of Secretary General at Assaeroporti, the association representing Italian airport operators, and served as Assistant Director and ATM Infrastructure Expert at the International Air Transport Association (IATA). 

Mr. Baronci, a native of Italy, holds an Executive MBA from Warwick University in the United Kingdom and graduated with a Law degree from La Sapienza University in Rome, Italy.  

Participating Talks and Sessions

Mohamed Rastam Shahrom

Acting Group Chief Executive Officer, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad

Participating Talks and Sessions

The Honourable Loke Siew Fook

Minister of Transport, Malaysia

Participating Talks and Sessions

Ahmad Luqman Mohd Azmi

Chief Executive Officer Airlines Business, Malaysia Aviation Group

Ahmad Luqman was appointed Chief Executive Officer Airlines Business of Malaysia Aviation Group (“MAG”) on 01st January 2023. His current responsibilities include steering and leading the business for the 4 airlines in the group namely Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, MASwings and Amal, a subsidiary focus on Umrah and Hajj business.

Prior to his appointment, he was the Group Chief Operations Officer overseeing Flight Operations, Airport Operations, In-flight Operations, Airlines Security, Fuel Management, Operations PMO and Engineering & Maintenance for Malaysia Airlines.

He is an experience airline executive with over 25 years experience in aviation business including MRO, cargo and airline operations.

 Ahmad Luqman holds a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Syracuse University, New York. He completed Business Leader Development Program from the University of Oxford in 2017 and Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School in October 2019.

Participating Talks and Sessions

Panarat Jitthanongsak

Head of Corporate Strategy and Business Development, Nok Airlines Public Company Limited

Edmond Rose

Consulting Director, ASM Global Route Development

Chen Chuanren

Southeast Asia and China Editor, Aviation Week Network

Hang Zhao

Consultant, ASM Global Route Development

David Casey

Editor-in-Chief, Routes

Paul Burton

Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Aviation Week Network

Steven Small

Director Events, Routes

Participating Talks and Sessions