Over 2,800 senior professionals from airlines and airports around the world visit Abu Dhabi to establish strategic partnerships
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2012-10-1 — /travelprnews.com/ — Today the 18th World Route Development Forum, one of the largest international civil aviation industry events worldwide, opened in Abu Dhabi.
Hosted by Abu Dhabi Airports Company, the 18th World Route Development Forum will run from September 30th to October 2nd, at ADNEC attracting more than 2,800 CEOs and senior professionals from airlines and airports and tourism authorities from around the world.
On the first day of the event the World Route Development Strategy Summit was launched with a keynote speech by ADAC CEO, James E. Bennett. The summit provided a cross-industry platform for industry leaders to discuss key ongoing topics that impact this dynamic and ever-evolving industry. Key topics highlighted during the summit included: taxation; rising oil prices; aeropolitics; environmental factors; sustainable route development; economic development; and, general regional perspectives on aviation and its potential for growth.
Along with the summit opening, ADAC held today a joint press conference with Routes to announce the launch of the event and to engage with attending media on Route Development strategies and trends. In addition, the first day of the forum started with meetings held between airlines and airports to seek and plan for new routes.
H.E. Ali Majed Al Mansoori, Chairman of ADAC, said: “The Middle East region has registered a 17.3% growth in passenger traffic in the first 8 months of 2012, as per the traffic report released by IATA, becoming the fastest growing region in the world. ADAC is extremely proud to host key aviation leaders from around the globe here in the heart of this dynamic region. This world class event will provide a platform to map out plans for growth in the aviation industry, but most importantly will allow Abu Dhabi to showcase its world-class airports and aviation services, and to work even closer with airlines in delivering new routes and destinations to Abu Dhabi airports.”
“The aviation sector is one of the 12 sectors that form the Emirate’s engines of economic, social and cultural growth and diversification,” said Al Mansoori. “Our leaders’ recognition that this sector is essential for connecting the Emirate to the world, has been translated to significant investment in air transport, enabling Abu Dhabi International Airport to become one of the fastest growing international airport hubs. This commitment has also allowed Abu Dhabi to establish itself as a global centre for tourism, trade and industry in the sixteen years since Abu Dhabi last hosted the World Route Development Forum.”
This year’s event programme has been extended to include full days on both Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th with delegates invited to “Experience Abu Dhabi”, attend the World Routes Strategy Summit and further enjoy the unique one-on-one networking, briefing, and meeting opportunities. Exclusive Route Exchange Airline Briefings by airlines such as Etihad, Air Canada, Southwest, Iberia, and Aeromexico will also allow airlines to brief airports directly on their requirements and various market opportunities.
Routes organizes world-renowned airline and airport networking events through its regional and global Route Development Forums. For more information on the programme, please visit http://www.routesonline.com/events/150/the-18th-world-route-development-forum
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The 18th World Route Development Forum Opens today in Abu Dhabi