Departing director Dick Benschop of Schiphol will be one of the keynote speakers at the World Aviation Festival in the Rai in Amsterdam next week. Despite his own decision to step down as CEO, Benschop still opts for the spotlight at this three-day aviation fair with 5,000 visitors. Two weeks ago, Benschop announced his departure, because he was unable to control the ongoing chaos at Schiphol.
Benschop is one of the 400 speakers at the aviation event that will take place in the Rai next week from 4 to 6 October. According to a Schiphol spokesperson, Benschop is one of the keynote speakers at the World Aviation Festival, which mainly revolves around innovations at airports and for airlines.
His role at the mega fair is striking, because Benschop has made his position available and Schiphol is looking for a successor. “He’s just still in office,” his spokesman said. It is therefore not excluded that Benschop will have more public appearances until a new director is appointed, but next week deputy director Hanne Buis will speak on behalf of Schiphol in a conversation with the House of Representatives and trade union FNV.
Welcome
Benschop can welcome the visitors of the World Aviation Festival on Wednesday morning 5 October. That speech follows the welcome speech of the new KLM director, Marjan Rintel. He is then expected to be the keynote speaker at the opening of the exhibition floor of the so-called ‘Airport Hall’, he will be interviewed about Schiphol’s sustainability goals and participate in a panel discussion with four other airport bosses.
Entrance ticket costs 2,500 euros
The aviation fair attracts visitors and speakers from all over the world, including the top executives of the largest airlines and airports from six continents. A ticket for the World Aviation Festival costs no less than 2,500 euros.