Etihad Airways to host Global Airline Audit Forum

The annual conference brings together chief audit executives and senior audit staff of most major airlines worldwide. It will be the first time the conference has been held in Abu Dhabi and follows previous successful events within Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas.

The IAAIA is a non-profit making association established in 1991 to develop and maintain standards for internal audit professionals within the airline industry. With a membership drawn from more than 70 airlines worldwide, the IAAIA promotes best practice and also carries out research into current issues relevant to the industry.

Etihad Airways was elected onto the IAAIA executive committee in 2008 and the airline's vice president internal audit, Andrew Fisher, was recently appointed chairman of the professional body.

Mr Fisher said: "As the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, based in Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways is delighted to host this year's conference and welcome delegates to the Middle East and to the emirate.

"In such challenging times, it is more important than ever for internal auditors to demonstrate how they can add value to their respective airline's business. At this year's conference we will focus upon ways in which internal audit functions can contribute towards key business objectives such as cost protection and revenue enhancement."

This year's conference programme offers an impressive range of expert speakers from the airline industry and professional service firms, and will explore key issues such as governance, risk, and control.