International Aviation Leaders Land in Abu Dhabi for Global Summit

Over 2,800 senior professionals, including 90 CEOs from airlines and airports around the world to visit Abu Dhabi for World Routes 201

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2012-09-30 — /travelprnews.com/ — The 30th of September will mark the official opening of the 18th World Route Development Forum, the largest annual international aviation event, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). Hosted by Abu Dhabi Airports Company, the Forum will run from September 30th to October 2nd and will deliver aviation industry leaders an opportunity to work together to map out the future of air services globally.

The Forum provides a cross-industry platform for industry leaders to discuss key ongoing topics that impact the dynamic and ever-evolving aviation industry.  Key topics to be highlighted during the Forum include: taxation; rising oil prices; aeropolitics; environmental factors; sustainable route development; economic development; and, general regional perspectives on aviation and its potential for growth.

More than 2,800 CEOs and senior professionals from airlines, airports and tourism authorities from more than 80 countries, as well as 10 Ministers of Tourism are expected to attend the Forum.  With 90 airline and airport CEOs currently registered to attend, the 2012 World Routes will record its highest ever presence of chief executives from the aviation industry.

James E. Bennett, Chief Executive Officer of ADAC, commented:
“The future of the aviation industry is closely tied to the development of new routes, which directly benefit the economies of a city or a region. With the economic impact only in tourism spent of an additional daily long-haul service into Abu Dhabi estimated at approximately AED 100 million annually, ADAC understands the direct and indirect economic benefits of new routes and how they contribute towards the growth of Abu Dhabi’s tourism, trade and investment.  At the same time they also strengthen Abu Dhabi International Airport’s position as a global aviation hub.  ADAC sees the World Route Development Forum as a unique opportunity to support the local economy and the aviation industry as a whole, and looks forward to seeing other airports and airlines develop new partnerships here in Abu Dhabi.”

Participation from Tourism Authorities from around the world is stronger than ever at this year’s event. Destinations including Mexico (the world’s 2nd largest tourism economy), Greece, St. Maarten, Sarawak, Trinidad and Tobago, the Seychelles, South Africa and the Philippines amongst others have also confirmed that their Ministers for Tourism will be attending, with many delivering destination briefings as part of the Routes Talks Tourism Programme.

Senior delegates from airports including Aeroports de Montreal, Bahrain International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Manchester Airport Group, St. Petersburg International Pulkovo Airport and Los Angeles World Airports are also amongst the attendees.

James E. Bennett, Chief Executive Officer of ADAC, added:
“World Routes will showcase Abu Dhabi as a thriving aviation and business hub to influential business leaders from around the world, but is expected also to generate tourism spend in Abu Dhabi of AED 17 million, directly impacting local businesses, especially our partners in the hospitality and transportation industries.”

Routes organises 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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