Welcome to the 18th World Route Development Forum, the largest annual international aviation event, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). Hosted by Abu Dhabi Airports Company, the Forum runs from September 29th to October 2nd and will deliver aviation industry leaders an opportunity to work together to map out the future of air services globally.
The Forum will provide a cross-industry platform for industry leaders to discuss key ongoing topics that impact this dynamic and ever-evolving aviation industry. Key topics to be highlighted during the Forum include: taxation; rising oil prices; aeropolitics; environmental factors; sustainable route development; economic development; and, general regional perspectives on aviation and its potential for growth.
Speaking to The HUB ahead of the event, James E Bennett, Chief Executive Officer of ADAC highlighted his belief that the aviation summit will stimulate the local economy and drive growth internationally in the aviation industry. “ADAC knows the future of the aviation industry globally is closely tied to the development of new routes,” he said.
“With the annual economic impact of a new short-haul aircraft flying into Abu Dhabi International Airport estimated at AED 50 million, and the economic impact for a long-haul aircraft estimated at AED 90 million, ADAC understands the clear economic benefits tied to new routes and how they contribute towards making Abu Dhabi a global transportation hub. ADAC views World Routes as an important opportunity to form partnerships to create new routes that will benefit both the local economy and the aviation industry as a whole,” he added.
More than 2,700 CEOs and senior professionals from airlines, airports and tourism authorities from more than 80 countries are expected to attend the Forum. With 40 airline CEO’s currently registered to attend World Routes, this year will also see more senior airline delegates in attendance than in previous years. Carriers which have confirmed their CEO attendance amongst many others include local UAE operators Etihad Airways and Air Arabia.
Participation from Tourism Authorities from around the world is also stronger than ever at this year’s event. Countless destinations including St Maarten, Sarawak, Trinidad and Tobago, the Seychelles, South Africa and the Philippines amongst others have also confirmed that their Ministers for Tourism will be in attendance, with many delivering ministerial destination briefings as part of the Routes Talks Tourism Programme.
Senior delegates from airports including Aeroports de Montreal, Bahrain International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Manchester Airport Group, St. Petersburg International Pulkovo Airport and Los Angeles World Airports are also amongst the attendees.
“Not only will World Routes showcase Abu Dhabi as a thriving aviation and business hub to influential business leaders from around the world, the tourism spend in Abu Dhabi generated by the Form is anticipated to be over AED 16.7 million, which is great news for local businesses, especially those in the hospitality and transportation industries,” added Bennett.
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