Press Release

For Immediate Release
29 October 2007

ACTE Presents CSR Award To Giovanni Bisignani, Director General and CEO of IATA At Munich Conference

Munich --

The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) presented Giovanni Bisignani, Director General and CEO, International Air Transport Association (IATA), with the organization’s 2007 Corporate Social Responsibility Award -- Europe and Middle East & Africa Regions, before the international delegates assembled at its Global Education Conference in Munich. According to a statement issued by ACTE’s President Richard Crum, the award acknowledges Bisignani’s leadership on sustainability initiatives in the aviation sector.

“Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) represents one of the highest priorities in the world today. It has become the basis of a new business fundamental in just three years,” said Crum. “Through the presentation of this award, ACTE is acknowledging the efforts and philosophy of Giovanni Bisignani in spearheading CSR initiatives throughout the commercial aviation industry.”

Under Bisignani’s direction, IATA has pushed governments for shorter routes to save fuel, reduce emissions, and reduce the current 12% industry wide operating inefficiency. The air transport group is striving to lower aviation industry carbon emissions, while boosting fuel efficiency by 25 percent by the year 2025. To this end, IATA adopted an industrywide climate change strategy, focusing on accelerating technological developments as the primary means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Bisignani has distinguished himself as an opponent of government action that could impede those actions through unrealistic taxation. IATA’s four-pillar approach to CSR emphasizes investing in new technology, building more efficient airport infrastructure, and operating aircraft effectively -- before considering other economic measures by the government.

“Giovanni Bisignani supports the concept of sustainable development as a balance of social, economic and environmental objectives in order to secure the well-being of present and future generations,” said Crum. “These objectives are interdependent and equally important. ACTE is proud to present Giovanni Bisignani  and IATA with our 2007 Corporate Social Responsibility Award – Europe and Middle East & Africa Regions.”

For more information, contact:
Debbie Flynn
CEO
Brighter Group
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London SW11 3BE England
T: 020 7326 9880
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E: [email protected]
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