Real business at World Routes Beijing - Event results in new air services

REAL BUSINESS AT WORLD ROUTES BEIJING -

World Routes, the global airline and airport networking event, is celebrating yet more success following the announcement from three major international carriers that they plan to launch new routes as a result of key meetings during the recent gathering in Beijing, China.

The first is the introduction of a non-stop scheduled service between Chicago and Beijing, operated by oneworld member, American Airlines. Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways has also announced two new services - its first services to Japan. The carrier will introduce a new five times weekly direct service between Abu Dhabi and Tokyo Narita from March 27, 2010. However, Etihad will begin its services to Japan with an onward connection to its current Abu Dhabi-Beijing service to Nagoya beginning on February 1, 2010. Both routes are subject to final regulatory clearance and are to be operated with A330 aircraft.

A further route, from United Airlines, will fly from the airline's Washington Dulles hub to Bahrain. The flight is an extension to its current Dulles-Kuwait City service.

Nigel Mayes, Routes' Managing Director, explained: "All three carriers had actively been requesting proposals prior to the event through the Route Exchange element on our website. The introduction of the new routes was then discussed by each party in the meeting facilities provided at World Routes, a place where real business takes place. These services are the latest in a long line of services that have started as a result of contacts initiated at Routes."

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The American Airlines service from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Beijing, which will begin in April 2010 using 245-seat Boeing 777 aircraft, is also the result of Routes' unique meeting opportunities.

Bob Hill, Director Route Planning at American Airlines, said: "Routes makes it possible for American Airlines to meet with potential markets such as Beijing in China. Our prior year meetings with Beijing Capital International Airport, American's own internal market analysis, and China's global economic success all came together in 2009 at the 15th annual Routes Forum with American's announcement of daily nonstop Chicago - Beijing 777 service starting May 1, 2010. Individual Routes airport meetings play a key role in AA's route selection and network planning process."

Syed Mohammed Mehdi, Director and Promotion, Bahrain International Airport, commented: "The importance of the meetings that take place at World Routes really shouldn't be underestimated. It is testament to the great business and networking opportunities that the event affords that we were able to begin the dialogue that has resulted in the launch of the new routes."

The United Airlines route was announced as a direct result of World Routes in Beijing. The new service is planned to commence from Bahrain International Airport to Washington Dulles on April 18, 2010. It will be the only same-plane service operated between the Kingdom of Bahrain and North America.

Nigel Mayes concluded: "These are real success stories that help us demonstrate the tangible commercial value of Routes events. This news goes to show that despite the difficult economic times our industry has been experiencing, Routes is doing its part in helping to develop routes."

- Ends -

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About Routes

• World Routes - The World Route Development Forum - is the world renowned annual airline and airport networking event. Routes facilitates and encourages the role of airports in the development of air services through organising global and region specific airline/airport networking forums. The 16th World Routes will be held in Vancouver, Canada - September 19- 21, 2010.
• Routes Regional events include Routes Americas, Routes Asia, Routes Europe, Routes CIS and Routes Africa.
• Routes was founded in 1995 by Chairman Mike Howarth as part of the Manchester UK-based ASM Ltd., a consultancy specialising in the field of route development for airports. www.asmglobal.com.
• Both companies are now subsidiaries of RDG -The Route Development Group - which is the leading global solutions provider in the strategically important 'route development' sector of air transport. www.routedevgroup.com
• In April 2007, Routes also won the prestigious Queen's Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2007. The award, for outstanding business performance and commercial success, recognised Routes' sustained contribution to aviation route development through its innovative Regional and World Route Development Forums.

The Route Development Group (RDG)

T: +44 (0)161 234 2711

E: [email protected]

113-115 Portland Street

Manchester M1 6DW

For further press information please contact Nadine Wenn at:

Notes to Editors

- For Immediate Release -