IFALPAASIA PACIFIC ANNUAL REGIONAL MEETING

IFALPA APRM
Asia Pacific

Regional Meeting

TOKYO・JAPAN

OCT20-22, 2026

Welcome Message

Welcome Message

ALPA Japan is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026. To mark this joyous occasion, ALPA Japan will host the IFALPA APRM (Asia Pacific Regional Meeting) in Japan for the first time. The IFALPA APRM is a forum where IFALPA members from across the Asia-Pacific region gather to discuss various topics centered on flight safety. Air traffic in the Asia-Pacific region has continued to grow since the start of the 21st century, and it is crucial for pilots in the region to demonstrate leadership to ensure safety; this APRM is a vital conference for that purpose.

Furthermore, this year’s IFALPA APRM is scheduled to be held jointly with the IFATCA APRM, which is organized by air traffic controllers—a group closely involved in the safe operation of aircraft. We anticipate a lively exchange of information as part of our efforts to further strengthen the relationship between pilots and air traffic controllers.

This conference will undoubtedly provide an opportunity for pilots to broaden their horizons and learn a great deal, while also refreshing their minds through exposure to Japanese culture.
We look forward to seeing you all in Tokyo this fall of 2026!

Capt. Yoshihiro Baba
President, ALPA Japan

AGENDA

DAY1

Morning Session @Hall (2F)

Joint Meeting with IFATCA 0900-1200

  • Opening Remarks by Mrs. Cheryl Chen - Executive Vice President Asia & Pacific (APAC), IFATCA
  • Opening Remarks by Capt. Jaffar Hassan - Executive Vice President Asia & Pacific (APAC), IFALPA
  • Guest Remarks by Mr. Takashi Ikemitsu - Director General, Japan Civil Aviation of Bureau
  • Guest Remarks by Mr. Toshiyuki Onuma - President of the ICAO Council
  • Guest Remarks by Mr. Hiroyuki Takata - Regional Officer, the ICAO Bangkok
  • Guest Remarks by Ms. Helena Sjöström - IFATCA President & CEO
  • Opening Ceremony
  • Networking Coffee Break
  • Keynote Speech: AI and Runway Safety by Mr. Hiroyuki Takata - Regional Officer, ICAO Bangkok
  • High Level Panel Discussion: From Voice to Data, & to Intelligence: Preparing Aviation for the Next Evolution
    • Moderator: Mr. Renz Bulseco - Training Task Force Chair, IFATCA
    • Panelist: Mr. Blair Cowles – Chief International Collaboration, ICAI
    • Panelist: Mr. Chad Brewer – Aviation Safety Analyst, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 
    • Panelist: Capt. Jaffar Hassan – Executive Vice-President APAC, IFALPA 
    • by Ms. Helena Sjöström Falk – President & CEO, IFATCA 

Networking Lunch & Experiencing Japanese Culture 1200 - 1330

Afternoon Session @Room B (1F)

  • 1345 - 1400 APRM Opening Address by Capt. Jaffer Hassan - Executive Vice President (EVP) of APAC
  • 1400 - 1405 APRM Opening Address by Capt. Yoshihiro Baba - President, ALPA Japan (APRM Host)
  • 1405 - 1415 APRM Opening Address by Capt. Omar Garcia - Executive Vice President (Administration, Membership and Finance), IFALPA
  • 1415- 1515 Panel Discussion #1: RVP APAC Sub-Region Briefing
    • Moderator: Capt. Jaffer Hassan - Executive Vice President of APAC, IFALPA
    • Panelist: Capt. Nickolas Lagouros - RVP Asia East, IFALPA
    • Panelist: Capt. Louise Pole - RVP South Pacific (SOP), IFALPA
    • Panelist: Capt. Lee Choong Sub - RVP North Pacific (NOP), IFALPA
    • Panelist: Capt. Shavantha Pedris - RVP Asia West, IFALPA
    • Panelist: Capt. Bill Bartels - RVP Central Eastern Pacific, IFALPA
  • 1515 - 1530 Report of Safety Seminar in Ulaanbaatar by Capt. Bayar - President, ALPA Mongolia
  • 1530 - 1545 Report of Safety Seminar in Jakarta by Capt. Reza Nugraha - President, Indonesia Pilots Association (IPI)

Networking Coffee Break @2F Floor 1545 - 1605

  • 1605- 1705 EVP Briefing & Panel Discussion #2
    • EVP Briefing on DGCA 61 Report & State of Asia Pacific by Capt. Jaffar Hassan - Executive Vice President APAC
    • Panel Discussion #2: PGA - Engagement and Advocacy Project
      • Moderator: Capt. Jaffar Hassan - EVP, IFALPA
      • Panelist: Capt. Kevin Judkins - Executive Vice President, Professional and Government Affairs, IFALPA
      • Panelist: Capt. Bill Bartel - RVP, Central Eastern Pacific, IFALPA
      • Panelit: SFO Andrew McKeen - President, NZALPA
      • Panelist: Capt. Greg Pavlou - Representative, AusALPA
      • Panelist: Capt. Kenneth Tan - SQ Branch Chair, ALPA-S
      • Panelist: Capt. Reza Nugraha - President, IPI
      • Panelist: Mr. John Hall - Legal Advisor, NZALPA
  • 1705 - 1710 House Keeping

Pre-Dinner Networking Hour @Terrace Room (2F) 1720-1820

Evening Program @Hall (2F)

IFALPA and IFATCA Joint Welcome Reception 1830-2030

VENUE

SPEAKERS

Capt. Jaffar Hassan

IFALPA Executive Vice-President Asia & Pacific (APAC)

Captain Hassan has flown the Boeing 747, 777, the A310, A330, A350, and is currently flying the A380. He is a member of The Airline Pilots' Association Singapore (ALPA-S) and is also an Instructor Pilot on the Airbus A380 at Singapore Airlines.

Capt. Jaffar Hassan
Capt. Rola Hoteit

Capt. Rola Hoteit

IFALPA Executive Vice-President Africa & Middle East (AFI/MID)

Captain Rola Hoteit has been flying the A330 and A320 for Middle East Airlines, the Lebanese national carrier, for nearly 25 years. Based in Beirut, Captain Hoteit served as IFALPA Regional Vice President MID/East for 12 years. She is a prominent advocate for gender equality in aviation in the region, actively promoting women's rights through public speaking as an ambassador for several national and international NGOs.

Capt. Omar Gabriel Garcia Vázquez

Capt. Omar Gabriel Garcia Vázquez

Executive Vice-President Administration, Membership, and Finance (EVP AMF)

Captain Omar Gabriel García Vázquez has been a pilot with Grupo Aeromexico since 2006 and is currently a B737 Captain. Within ASPA, he has served as Vice President and President of the Savings Trust, as well as Secretary of Minutes and Agreements as the association’s notary. In the Colegio de Pilotos Aviadores de México, he held the roles of Director of Operations and Technical Director.

Dr. Keiko Nakahama

Clinical psychologist

Dr. Keiko Nakahama is a clinical psychologist, a CISM-certified instructor, and the founder and instructor of the Peer Support Education Program (PSEP), which focuses on well-being. She has served as a mental health consultant for several airlines and airline unions, including ALPA Japan. With over 25 years of clinical experience and more than 20 years in the aviation industry, she has also worked as a mental health counselor in education and other corporate sectors .

Dr.KeikoNakahama
Deputy Chief Ang Kheng Wee

Deputy Chief Ang Kheng Wee

Airport Emergency Service, Changi Airport Group (Singapore)

Deputy Chief Ang Kheng Wee is an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) professional with over 20 years of experience across military and civil aviation. He has held senior operational and leadership appointments in the Airport Emergency Service, with responsibilities spanning aircraft emergency response, operational readiness, crisis management, and the development of new response capabilities. He is a member of the International Aviation Fire Protection Association (IAFPA), contributing to the advancement and exchange of ARFF knowledge and best practices internationally.

Mr. Blättler Sebastian

Managing Director APAC, Boschung Group

Mr. Blaettler is Managing Director Asia-Pacific at the Swiss Boschung Group. Boschung manufactures the state-of-the-art “Automated Take-off and Landing Assessment System (ATLAS)”, which is currently being introduced at airports worldwide. Based in Taipei, Mr. Blaettler has more than a decade of experience managing Swiss businesses across the Asia-Pacific region. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan and holds an MBA from ESSEC Business School. A passionate aviation enthusiast, he plans to begin training for his PPL soon.

CONTACT

Contact us by email
24-hour reception