Donald E Payen
Senior Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism of Mauritius
1/ Can you introduce yourself and your company?
I am Donald E Payen, Senior Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism of Mauritius since August 2020. I have taken over this role after spending 41 years at Air Mauritius, the national airline of Mauritius where I have held several senior management roles in Commercial, Communications, Customer Experience, Digitalisation and Operations.
My primary role at the Ministry has been to advise the Deputy Prime Minister and the Ministry on the reopening of borders and restart of tourism.
2/ How do you see the development of the global airline industry in the years to come after it has suffered potentially the worst crisis in its history?
The crisis has proved to some countries, especially the smaller ones, how important aviation is for circulation of goods (e.g., medical equipment and vaccines) and to repatriate people stuck all over the World! The airlines which had already undergone a transformation into efficient production machines are the ones who are coming out in better shape after the crisis. The help of Governments has also been critical and this has taken various shapes and forms. Some, who consider airlines to be a strategic tool for economic development, have gone to great lengths to save airlines from collapse and are now actively supporting the takeoff of the industry. Some Governments are challenged by competition for the same funds from other sectors of the economy and have to make difficult choices! We shall therefore see a mix of models, but in the end, it will be the survival of the fittest.
3/ The theme this year is: "How do airlines adapt in a changing world" What is your point of view on this subject?
There could not have been a better theme as change is now a constant feature of the airline business and, probably more importantly, the pace of change. Airlines, by nature of their investment, have to keep their eyes on the long term. They also have to make do with crises of all sorts and therefore have to adapt to everchanging circumstances. This is why agile business models have become key for survival!
4/ What do you believe is/are the main reason(s) that draw people to the event?
The reply is in the title of the meeting “CONNECT”. World Connect enables aviation stakeholders to connect and be focused on our industry for 2 days. And it is done with that special touch (and great hospitality) of the APG Group!
I am Donald E Payen, Senior Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism of Mauritius since August 2020. I have taken over this role after spending 41 years at Air Mauritius, the national airline of Mauritius where I have held several senior management roles in Commercial, Communications, Customer Experience, Digitalisation and Operations.
My primary role at the Ministry has been to advise the Deputy Prime Minister and the Ministry on the reopening of borders and restart of tourism.
2/ How do you see the development of the global airline industry in the years to come after it has suffered potentially the worst crisis in its history?
The crisis has proved to some countries, especially the smaller ones, how important aviation is for circulation of goods (e.g., medical equipment and vaccines) and to repatriate people stuck all over the World! The airlines which had already undergone a transformation into efficient production machines are the ones who are coming out in better shape after the crisis. The help of Governments has also been critical and this has taken various shapes and forms. Some, who consider airlines to be a strategic tool for economic development, have gone to great lengths to save airlines from collapse and are now actively supporting the takeoff of the industry. Some Governments are challenged by competition for the same funds from other sectors of the economy and have to make difficult choices! We shall therefore see a mix of models, but in the end, it will be the survival of the fittest.
3/ The theme this year is: "How do airlines adapt in a changing world" What is your point of view on this subject?
There could not have been a better theme as change is now a constant feature of the airline business and, probably more importantly, the pace of change. Airlines, by nature of their investment, have to keep their eyes on the long term. They also have to make do with crises of all sorts and therefore have to adapt to everchanging circumstances. This is why agile business models have become key for survival!
4/ What do you believe is/are the main reason(s) that draw people to the event?
The reply is in the title of the meeting “CONNECT”. World Connect enables aviation stakeholders to connect and be focused on our industry for 2 days. And it is done with that special touch (and great hospitality) of the APG Group!