Largest Regional Route Development Event Ever Opens in Budapest

AsiaNet 52994

BUDAPEST, May 14, 2013 /PRN=KYODO JBN/ --

    Nearly 1,100 aviation industry decision makers have gathered in Budapest

for the opening of the eighth Routes Europe, the largest regional route

development event ever to take place. Over 4,000 face-to-face meetings are

scheduled for today and tomorrow for the delegates representing 115 leading

airlines, 350 airports and 50 tourism authorities.

    The event which is attended by representatives from almost 70 countries is

hosted by Budapest Airport, supported by Hungarian Tourism, at the SYMA

Conference Venue, Hungary's newest and most modern, state-of-the-art

multifunctional facility.

    Speaking at the opening press conference in Budapest today, David Stroud,

Executive Vice President Routes at UBM Live, said: "With a 60% plus growth in

airline delegate numbers since last year's event in Tallinn, Routes Europe 2013

is set to become a milestone for the development of the region's air services.

Despite all the difficulties Budapest Airport faced after the demise of the

national carrier, they are one of the leading lights in Europe. I am sure that

all the delegates will become ambassadors for this fantastic city and its

airport."

    Jost Lammers, CEO of Budapest Airport, was optimistic about the airport's

future: "2012 was extremely difficult with the collapse of our national

carrier, but it was an amazing achievement to carry 8.5m passengers here last

year, a mere 5% drop." Mr Lammers, who expects passenger numbers to be flat

this year, went on to announce an innovative incentive scheme for thin routes.

The incentives will be available to airlines which routes that are not yet

served from Budapest with a frequency of two to four flights a week.

    On the eve of Routes Europe, it already was announced that Bulgaria Air,

the national carrier of the Republic of Bulgaria, will commence new direct

scheduled services between Sofia and Budapest from 24th June. The new flights

will operate four times weekly.

    Following the opening press conference, Tomislav Lang, CEO of SkyWork,

briefed the media on the recent management buy-out at the Bern-based airline.

Following its recent restructuring, the airline is now determined to break even

next year. Lang explained that the SkyWork just signed an interlining agreement

with KLM, and that it plans to announce a second base this summer, indicating

that this base is likely to be in Germany.

    Already yesterday some of the most salient topics in European aviation were

discussed at the Routes Europe Strategy Summit. More than a dozen high-profile

speakers, including Wizz Air CEO, Jozsef Varadi and Mr Yiorgos Lakkotrypis,

Minister of Commerce, Industry & Tourism, Cyprus about the future plans for the

country. Other topics discussed included from Europe and beyond shed light on

the "Big Freeze" concerning EU ETS, life after legacy carriers and on the

question whether we will see fewer airlines in Europe any time soon.

Key quotes from the Strategy Summit can be found here

[http://www.routesonline.com/news/29/breaking-news/198823/routes-europe-inside-t

he-strategy-summit-the-key-discussion-points ]

    Next year, Routes Europe will take place in Marseille, France. Already this

year, Routes Europe has attracted more French airports than any other route

development 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 [http://www.asm%E2%80%90global.com ]

    - Routes and ASM were acquired by UBM Aviation Worldwide Ltd in August

2010. From 1st 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

    Follow us on twitter: @Routesonline, @TheHUBRoutes, @VictoriaRoutes,

@airlineroute, @NLPROU

    SOURCE: UBM Live Routes Ltd