The 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the APG Network was hosted at the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur from April 23-25, 2024, marking a significant milestone as it is the first time the AGM convened in the Asia Pacific region.
APG is the world’s largest airline representation network, boasting over 100 offices globally and partnerships with over 200 airline clients worldwide.
Over 100 delegates representing Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific, were present
Explaining the choice of Kuala Lumpur for the 31st AGM, Richard Burgess, president of the APG Network, highlighted the strategic importance of the Asia Pacific region, particularly due to the network’s close collaborations with airlines from the region, which included Malaysia Airlines and Batik Air Malaysia, both of which have hubs in Kuala Lumpur.
Geographically, Kuala Lumpur’s central location and excellent airline connectivity also made it an ideal choice. Additionally, the presence of Tunku Iskandar, APG Network’s APAC regional vice president based in Malaysia, further facilitated the decision, noted Burgess.
During the AGM, attendees were informed that 2023 was a highly successful year for the APG Network, surpassing profitability results from 2019. Moreover, roughly 25 per cent of APG Network’s income turnover is derived from the Asia Pacific region, showcasing the region’s substantial contribution to the network’s overall financial performance.
A notable aspect of this year’s AGM was the thematic mini forum – a new concept, indicated Burgess – titled Aviation & Tourism: The Intrinsic Link, hosted by Tourism Malaysia.
The forum commenced following the opening speech by Malaysia’s Deputy minister of tourism, arts & culture, Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan. Presentations during the forum were delivered by Shahrin Mokhtar, director of strategic planning at Tourism Malaysia; Mayur Patel, head of Asia at OAG Aviation; and Nigel Wong, president of the Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents.
