Against the background of the ongoing upturn in its economic performance, the air transport industry in 1996 continued to undergo radical change in structure and regulation. Issues of particular current importance in Europe include new developments in the areas of cooperation between airlines and slot allocation, and issues which are attracting significant attention for the first time, such as developments in Eastern Europe, and frequent-flyer programmes. The Association"s annual conference for 1996 was held for the first time in Copenhagen -- The European Cultural City for 1996 -- and addressed these issues as well as any others which were current at the time.