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Routes Europe, now in its 7th year, sees a record number of attendees when the 2012 event opens in Tallinn. The event is hosted by Tallinn Airport at the Radisson Blu Hotel Oluempia in Estonia’s historic capital.
Over 175 airline delegates representing 85 of Europe’s leading airlines are represented at Routes Europe, which takes place from 20-22 May. This amounts to a 35% growth in airline delegate numbers from last year’s event which was held in Cagliari, Italy, making Routes Europe 2012 the largest European route development event ever.
Toomas Hendrik Ilves, President of the Republic of Estonia will open a Networking Evening, which will include the Routes Airport Marketing Awards, on Monday 21st May at Tallinn Song Festival Grounds. Routes Europe 2012 will be largest event ever to take place in Estonia after the Eurovision Song Contest in 2002.
For the first time ever Routes Europe 2012 opened with the Routes Europe Strategy Forum. A keynote address from Mr Siim Kallas, Vice President European Commission, responsible for transport opened the Forum.
Flag carriers are strongly represented in Tallinn with six delegates in attendance from Lufthansa and registrations also received from CSA-Czech Airlines, Turkish Airlines, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Estonian Air and Alitalia.
In addition, a significant low cost carrier presence is expected with registrations from Ryanair, easyJet, Norwegian, Germanwings, Vueling, Jet2.com, transavia.com and airberlin which will make its inaugural appearance at Routes Europe this year. Also attending the event for the first time is Spanish start-up carrier Volotea.
Regional airlines will also be out in force with confirmed registrations received from SkyWork Airlines, Blue Islands, Flybe, Germania, Darwin Airline, Danube Wings and Skyways Express along with a strong Russian participation including Aeroflot, S7, Rossiya and UT Air.
"We will have a record number of delegates at Routes Europe this year," said David Stroud, Executive Vice President Airports, Routes for UBM Aviation continuing: "this growth is beyond even our expectations and we are delighted that Routes Europe continues to attract the key decision makers from the region and plays an important role in shaping Europe’s future networks."
"Estonia’s aviation market is the fastest growing in Europe, and Tallinn Airport is almost there to becoming the cosiest airport in the world," says Erik Sakkov, Member of the Board for Tallinn Airport continuing: "That’s why we feel there is no better place to host the top event of European aviation industry, and we are incredibly honoured to do just that. As a small country, we know perfectly well, why Estonia and Tallinn are a perfect travel destination, but much of the international travel industry is not aware of it yet. By hosting Routes Europe 2012, let me promise you – we are determined to correct that issue."
A panel of leading industry experts will take part in a number of moderator led discussions during the Strategy Summit which will address issues affecting aviation and route development across the region. Sessions will cover The Eurozone Crisis, the impacts of regulation and explore whether now is a good time to sell an airport. High level delegates involved in the panel sessions include, amongst many others, Mr Tero Taskila, President & CEO of Estonian Air, Mr Fernado Estrada, Strategy & Alliances Director for Vueling, Mr Kjartan Jonsson, Director Network Planning for Icelandair, Mr Eric Herbane, Head of French Airport Slot Coordination, EUACA, Mr Wojciech Prokopowicz, Investor Relations for Warsaw Modlin Airport and Mr Zafer Mese, Airline Marketing, Business Development & Investments Europe for TAV Airport Holdings.
In addition to the one-to-one meetings taking place at the event, this year’s Route Exchange programme will see five carriers deliver an overview of their route development opportunities and how airports can be part of their airline expansion. The carriers delivering briefings, which are open to all attending airports, are easyJet, Monarch Airlines, Ryanair, SkyWork Airlines and Volotea.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
