Flightplan Broadcast Kickstarts Aviation’s Post-Covid Flightback

All industries have been dealt a series of severe blows by the current Covid-19 pandemic. Aviation has suffered more than most. That’s why at a time of stasis and disorientation, Inmarsat Aviation joined forces with APEX to develop FlightPlan, a unique one-day online broadcast that looked to connect the industry in lieu of the many cancelled aviation events.

Held at the end of April, more than 3,000 people watched FlightPlan live from almost 100 countries worldwide, with thousands more expected to catch-up on demand in the coming weeks. The average view time was 144 minutes, showing deep engagement, and the event also facilitated more than 100 meetings in the virtual networking area, making it a clear and resounding success.

Industry experts and analysts came from the likes of Airbus, Air Transport Action Group, Avianca, Collins Aerospace, Deutsche Telekom, European Space Agency (ESA), Honeywell, IATA, Japan Airlines, Panasonic Avionics and Rolls-Royce

Inmarsat Aviation Vice President Dominic Walters hosted the event and described the response as phenomenal. “Together, more than 50 leading voices shared a clear message,” he stated. “That while the aviation industry contends with a period of extreme uncertainty, these clouds will eventually clear. Now is the time to focus on accelerating our recovery and rebuilding an industry that is stronger, more agile and fit for the future.”

The feedback from viewers was universally positive too. "Thank you for inspiring us, and help us love again our jobs in this difficult quarantine times. Great team work,” wrote Gonzalo Monterrosa, flight dispatcher at Crossracer. "Great to see the industry stalwarts in one platform, sharing their thoughts for charting a turbulent free post COVID-19. Well done Team FlightPlan," added Kuwait Airways’ Pradeep Gangadharan. “Thank you so much to everyone that worked on this broadcast,” concluded Saudi Arabian Airlines’ Sultan Asiri.

The event is now available to watch online and below are the highlights