IAPA has long represented the interests of its members around the world. In support of your concerns as airline customers we actively partake in events, forums, industry panels and task forces that deal with commercial aviation issues that matter to you the most.

Earlier this year, IAPA joined members of IATA and the UK's Air Transport Users Council (AUC) in Geneva to discuss the status of the airline industry and to receive updates on initiatives such as IATA's Baggage Improvement Programme, designed to greatly reduce baggage mishandling.

IAPA is frequently asked by organizations and government agencies to provide input from the consumer perspective on various issues of concern. This fall, IAPA was in Washington, D.C. for an aviation forecast summit where the future of the airline industry was the theme. In addition, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) convened its annual International Aviation Safety Forum which gave IAPA an opportunity to share its views with industry stakeholders throughout the world. Given the emerging trends and the experts' suggestions on how the industry can first survive, then thrive, IAPA's presence as the primary organization in attendance representing actual airline passengers, served as a reminder that the airline customer cannot be left behind. Recently, IAPA was also invited to a Passenger Rights hearing in the halls of the U.S. Congress that featured testimonials from airline executives, airport operators, aviation experts, airline passengers, and U.S. lawmakers on the topic of extensive ground delays. Early in November, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) assembled a meeting of the minds on matters of aviation safety, airline health, and labor relations that greatly affect the flying public. IAPA was invited by the DOT to attend as an organization representing passenger interests – specifically, its global frequent flyer members.

IAPA relies on your feedback to formulate our positions on issues that matter most to you as our valued members. We take these views, concerns and recommendations to agencies and industry stakeholders as we look after industry issues that affect you as part of the flying public. Among these concerns are safety and security, comfort and health, service, economy and value, and the environment.

Over the last year, IAPA has:

• Called for the implementation of over 80 recommendations to ease passenger inconvenience and discomfort during lengthy tarmac delays
• Publicly endorsed SESAR (Single European Sky) and NextGen (U.S.) technology upgrades to make air travel safer, less delay-prone, and environmentally responsible
• Lauded the efforts of various airlines throughout the world that have tested alternative fuels to foster greater fuel savings and dramatically lower emissions.
• Called on lawmakers to establish a long-term energy policy and to curb market speculation on fuel which drives prices artificially high
• Shared concerns with IATA about code-share flights and confusion with respect to what airline's conditions of contract apply during a particular leg of a journey
• Supported IAPA members' wishes to continue the ban on in-flight cell phone use for voice calls in the U.S.
• Endorsed efforts by aviation bodies and lawmakers to improve pilot training and require higher minimum certifications for regional/commuter pilots

With your feedback and support, IAPA will continue to be active and engaged in matters that concern you as flyers for many years to come.

Below are some photographic highlights of some of the events IAPA participated in.

Robert Crandall, former CEO of American Airlines, stresses to U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, Democrat from California (right), that he is largely on her side when it comes to the passenger rights legislation that she is trying to push through the Senate.

Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, hero of US Airways 1549 that ditched in the Hudson River after losing both engines early in 2009, discusses the importance of training and awareness in the cockpit.

Nancy Graham of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) responds to a question about U.S. restrictions on foreign airline investment in U.S. carriers as Bill Voss, President of the Flight Safety Foundation looks on.

Musician Dave Carroll, who testified at the passenger rights hearing about his experience with airline customer service over a broken guitar, serenades the audience with his rendition of "United Breaks Guitars." Carroll's experience with the airline led him to post a series of videos about the incident and the airline's response on YouTube. The videos became a sensation on the Internet and garnered great media attention.

J. Randolph "Randy" Babbitt, the current administrator of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), addresses particpants at the International Aviation Safety Forum in September.