Routes Asia is set to convene in Langkawi this week, bringing together more than 900 decision makers from airlines, airports, and destinations to define future air connectivity across the region.
Marking its 20th edition, the event will be attended by a record number of airlines. Vice presidents and heads of network planning from 110 of the region’s leading and fastest-growing airlines will engage in over 3,500 meetings with airport and destination representatives to identify new route opportunities.
Carriers in attendance include Air India, AirAsia Group, Etihad Airways, Japan Airlines, Qantas, Thai Airways and Vietnam Airlines.
China served as the primary contributor of tourists for numerous Asia-Pacific countries before the pandemic. Representatives from China’s top 10 carriers by ASK will be in attendance at the event.
Having held a considerable share of global air passenger demand prior to the pandemic, Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, Hainan Airlines and Shandong Airlines will be evaluating proposals from airports at the event to ascertain which markets to prioritise in their recovery.
Routes Asia will also welcome more than 30 association, airline, airport and destination leaders to participate in the event’s conference programme. The line-up of CEOs includes:
- Malaysia Aviation Group’s Group Managing Director, Datuk Captain Izham bin Ismail, will outline how fleet investment will fuel the carrier’s future growth strategy
- Riyadh Air’s Chief Operating Officer, Peter Bellew, will discuss key target markets for Saudi Arabia’s newest flag carrier
- Airports Council International Asia and Middle East’s Director General, Stefano Baronci, will examine the outlook for the year ahead, including the impact of rising air fares and the need for further liberalisation
This year’s event will be hosted by Malaysia Airports and Tourism Malaysia. Having hosted the first three editions of the event (2003-2005), the destination will utilise the platform to increase direct international connectivity to both Langkawi and Malaysia as a whole.
Steven Small, director of Routes, said: “Malaysia Airports and Tourism Malaysia are long standing partners of Routes. This year marks the 20th edition of the event, we are delighted to be in Malaysia again delivering what will be our biggest Routes Asia event.
“Route development has perhaps become more important than it has ever been, with airlines scrutinising opportunities more carefully than ever before. Routes Asia continues to play a vital role in this process, providing a meeting place for airline decision makers to negotiate new and existing air services with their airport and destination partners.”
Image: Malaysia Airports
Subscribe to the FINN weekly newsletter
