World's Major Airlines Head to Abu Dhabi for World Routes

MANCHESTER, England, August 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Over 450 airline planners representing 250 airlines are now registered for the 18^th World Route Development Forum which will take place from 29^th September to 2^nd October 2012 and is hosted by Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) and supported by official carrier Etihad Airways and Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority.

Twenty Three of the World's Top 25 carriers by ASK (Available Seat Kilometre) are already registered to attend World Routes with strong presence from all geographical regions. The four major US legacy carriers will attend; Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, US Airways and American Airlines.  From Asia, China Southern, China Eastern, Hainan Airlines and Air China are amongst those attending with Japanese majors, oneworld member Japan Airlines and Star Alliance carrier All Nippon Airways bringing large delegations to Abu Dhabi.

One of latest registrations is Qantas Airways, who will deliver a briefing focused around its new business units and how this will relate to its route development strategy.

From Europe, the legacy market is strong with British Airways, Iberia, KLM, Air France, SAS, LOT Polish, Alitalia amongst those registered. The low cost carrier market from Europe is particularly well represented by easyJet, Norwegian, Wizz Air, Germanwings and Air Berlin.

Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, South African Airways, Egypt Air and Royal Air Maroc are amongst the major African airlines looking to look at new opportunities and expand into new markets.

Airline Relations Director, Paul Winfield Commented: "This week alone we have seen registrations from the likes of Air New Zealand, Air India, Wizz Air and Copa Airlines highlighting the diverse mix of airlines attending World Routes and confirming that this is a must attend event for airlines on a global basis from all sectors of the airline market."

Airports wishing to do business with the Middle East airline market will never have a better opportunity to do so with Etihad Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines sending very senior and large delegations with attendance from many other Middle East based airlines including Gulf Air, Air Arabia and Oman Air.

Cargo and Interline are also an important part of Routes and this year the cargo sector is led by the likes of UPS and FedEx whilst this year will see the first time that Routes has offered a platform for dedicated interline meetings.  This session will allow alliance and interline managers to meet with other carriers to discuss interline agreements,

marketing arrangements, SPAs and scheduled connections.  Amongst others, Etihad and JetBlue, two major interline operators, are sending dedicated interline specialists to the event.

Notes to Editors

About Routes

• Routes organises world-renowned airline and airport networking events through its regional and global Route Development Forums. Each year, there is one global event and one regional event in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas and CIS respectively. http://www.routesonline.com
• Routes was founded in 1995 as part of the Manchester UK‐based ASM Ltd., a consultancy specialising in the field of route development for airports. http://www.asm‐global.com
• Routes and ASM were acquired by UBM Aviation Worldwide Ltd in August 2010. From 1^st August 2012 Routes, ASM and the Airport Cities Conference and Exhibition become part of the UBM Live division of UBM plc.
• UBM Live connects people and creates opportunities for companies across five continents to develop new business, meet customers, launch new products, promote their brands and expand their markets. Through premiere brands such as MD&M, CPhI, IFSEC, TFM&A, Cruise Shipping Miami, the Concrete Show, the Routes portfolio of events, Airport Cities and many others, UBM Live exhibitions, conferences, awards programs, publications, websites and training and certification programs are an integral part of the marketing plans of companies across more than 20 industry sectors. http://www.ubmlive.com

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SOURCE UBM Aviation Routes Ltd