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

DAY2

Data Access (IFALPA Member's Area) Link

Data Access (Japanese Attendees) Link

Registration 0830 - 0855 @Teracce Room (2F)

Morning Session @Terrace Room (2F)

  • 0900 - 0930 (Virtual) Presentation by Capt. Jose Fernandez - Flight Safety Foundation APAC
  • 0930 - 1030 Peer Support & Mental Wellness
    • Presentation: Peer Support Program (Virtual) by Dr. Kate Manderson - Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)
    • Presentation: Peer Support & Mental Wellness by Dr. Keiko Nakahama - Advisor for ALPA Japan, Clinical Psychologist
    • Presentation: The Limitations of Pilot Mental Health Management System by Aviation Regulatory Authorities and Directions for Improvement by Capt. Lee Choong Sub - PresidentALPA-K

Networking Coffee Break @2F 1030 - 1100

  • 1100 - 1200 Panel Discussion #3: Peer Support & Mental Wellness
    • Moderator: Mr. Gordon Margison - Technical Director, IFALPA
    • Panelist: Capt. Jaffar Hassan - EVP APAC, IFALPA
    • Panelist: Mr. Marco Antonio Méndez López - MSc, ATCO, PhD Candidate, IFATCA
    • Panelist: Capt. Mike Robinson - Vice President, Operaions, NZALPA
    • Panelist: Dr. Keiko Nakahama - Advisor for ALPA Japan, Clinical Psychologist
    • Panelist: Capt. Takashi Miyamoto - Representative, ALPA Japan
    • Panelist: Capt. Lee Choong Sub - RVP North Pacific, IFALPA
    • Panelist: Capt. Greg Pavlou, - Representative, AusALPA
    • Panelist: Capt. Nirmal Singh, Vice President Technical, ALPA-S
  • 1200 - 1240 Presentation: Automatic Take-off and Landing Assessment System (ATLAS) by Mr. Sebastian Blaettler - Boschung

Networking Lunch 1240 - 1410

Afternoon Session @Room B (1F)

  • 1410 - 1430 Presentation: IFALPA Global Strategic Planning and Governance by Capt. Omar Garcia - Executive Vice President, Administration, Membership and Finance, IFALPA
  • 1430 - 1530 Positive Safety Culture (PSC)
    • Presentation: PSC IFALPA Global Strategy by Mr. Gordon Margison - Technical Director, IFALPA
    • Presentation: PSC by Capt. Marcus Diamond - Safety and Technical Manager, AusALPA
    • Presentation: Aviation Safety Culture in Korea by Capt. Lee Choong Sub, President, ALPA-K

Networking Coffee Break @2F 1530 - 1550

  • 1550 - 1650 Panel Discussion #4 - Positive Safety Culture
    • Moderator: Mr. Gordon Margison, Technical Director, IFALPA
    • Panelist: Capt. Marcus Diamond - Safety and Technical Manager, AusALPA
    • Panelist: SFO Andrew McKeen - President, NZALPA
    • Panelist: Capt. Corey Beer - Representative, AusALPA
    • Panelist: Capt. Lee Choong Sub - RVP North Pacific, IFALPA
    • Panelist: Capt. Shavantha Pedris - RVP Asia West, IFALPA
    • Panelist: Capt. Nirmal Singh - Vice President Technical, ALPA-S
  • 1650 - 1655 Housekeeping

Evening Program

Enjoy Exploring in Tokyo (Free Night)

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.

Capt. Kevin Judkins

Executive Vice-President Professional & Government Affairs (EVP PGA)

Captain Judkins flies the B777 for British Airways. Active in international pilot affairs since 2006 when he became a Union Representative for BALPA, Kevin served as Vice-Chair of the British Airways Company Council (BACC) between 2006-2012 and Chairman between 2012-16. He served as chair of the OCCC between 2018-2021.

Capt. Kevin Judkins
Dr.KeikoNakahama

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 .

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.

Deputy Chief Ang Kheng Wee

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

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24-hour reception