ROUTES ASIA: Chengdu to Host Routes Asia 2012

Routes has confirmed that the 10th Routes Asia will return to China in 2012. Taking place in April next year, the only air service development event for all of Asia will be hosted by Chengdu International Airport (CDIA).

David Stroud, Executive Vice President of Routes, said: “After this year’s event, held here in North Asia, it is fitting that we now return to China and we look forward to seeing how our hosts for what will be our 10th edition of Routes Asia, build on the success of this event for next year. I recently visited Chendgu myself and as the airport has consistently grown its passenger traffic and route network, and now has an extensive network connecting domestic, regional and international destinations, I was convinced that they were the perfect choice to become our Routes Asia host 2012.”

Chengdu International Airport (CDIA) is now the largest air hub and passenger and cargo distribution centre in the central western region of China. CDIA now has more than 80 domestic and international routes. In 2010, it handled 25.8million passengers, making it the sixth busiest airport in China. One of the prides of Chengdu City, the new Passenger Terminal 2 (T2), is scheduled to launch its operation at the beginning of 2012.

Best known for its Giant Pandas Breeding Research Centre for which Chengdu has become internationally renowned, the city is also the centre of finance, commerce, transportation, communication and science and technology in the central western part of China.

“Following this great event, here in Incheon, we are delighted to be the hosts of next year’s Routes Asia. Chengdu’s history stretches back some 2,000 years, and the city has been crowned The Best Tourism City of China,” said a representative of the company. “We look forward to welcoming the Asian route development community to our city!”