ROUTES ASIA: Strategy Forum Brings Together Industry Leaders to Discuss Challenges Across the Region

As has been the case previously, this year's Routes Asia event will open with the Strategy Forum on the afternoon of Sunday 15th April. Giving a valuable insight into aviation across the region, the programme will bring together high profile speakers in a combination of presentations and panel discussions addressing key route development issues affecting commercial aviation across the entire Asia region.

The Forum will begin with keynote presentations from Ms Xiuzhi Zhang, Chief Executive Officer of Spring Airlines and Mr Haiying LI, General Manager of Sichuan Airlines. Spring Airlines is China’s first low-cost carrier and Ms Zhang will present the company's plans for growth over the next few years and the potential for low-cost entities in China.

The first discussion session China – The Holy Grail will focus on how to do network development in China and what the rewards are. This session will be moderated by Mr Gordon Bevan, VP Consulting Services for ASM and should give a valuable insight into the market opportunities in China.

Session two, entitled India’s Challenges, will be moderated by Mr Vijay Poonoosamy, VP International & Public Affairs for Etihad Airways and Chairman of the IATA Industry Affairs Committee. The discussion will focus on how India is opening up to the world whilst asking whether market regulations are stifling opportunities and will also consider what needs to change to ensure India takes its place on the world stage. Panellists include Mr Sanjay Kumar, Chief Commercial Officer of IndiGo, Mr Rajeev Jain, President of Mumbai International Airport, Mr V.P. Agrawal, Chairman of the Airports Authority of India and Mr Prashant Sukul, Joint Secretary, The Ministry of Civil Aviation for the Government of India.

Good Times and Bad, the third and final session of the afternoon, will involve a panel which includes: Mr Andrew McEvoy, Managing Director, Tourism Australia; Mr Tim Hunter, Chief Executive of Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism; and Mr Wilco Sweijen, Director of Aviation Marketing for Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. In recent times volcanoes, earthquakes and the global financial crisis have had a significant effect on aviation. This session will attempt to answer how to cope with traffic downturns following such economic and natural disasters and what marketing tactics can be employed to stimulate traffic.

The specially developed content and the interactive format ensures that the Forum is a popular element of the event. Open to all Routes Asia delegates it is expected to be a thought provoking and lively afternoon and promises to be a stimulating and enjoyable start to this year’s Routes Asia event.

For more information and to register for Routes Asia 2012 click here.