SEPANG, Feb 26 — Routes Asia 2024 (Routes 2024), to be held in Langkawi from Feb 27-29, will provide a meeting place for airline decision-makers to negotiate new and existing air services with their airport and destination partners.
Steven Small, director of aviation conference organiser Routes, said the event will bring together more than 900 decision-makers from airlines, airports, and destinations to define future air connectivity.
In a statement, Routes said representatives from China’s top 10 carriers by available seat kilometres (ASK) will attend the event.
“Having held a considerable share of global air passenger demand before the pandemic, Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, Hainan Airlines and Shandong Airlines will be evaluating proposals from airports at the event to ascertain which markets to prioritise in their recovery,” it said.
This year’s Routes event will be hosted by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) and Tourism Malaysia.
“Having hosted the first three editions of the event (2003-2005), the destination will utilise the platform to increase direct international connectivity to both Langkawi and Malaysia as a whole,” Routes said.
MAHB acting group chief executive officer Mohamed Rastam Shahrom said Routes Asia has also become an indispensable platform for fostering collaboration, exploring new opportunities, and driving innovation within the dynamic aviation landscape of the Asia-Pacific region.
“For Malaysia Airports, we look forward to bringing new airlines to our network of airports, and encourage others to start new routes or return to sunny Malaysia,” he said.
Marking its 20th edition, the event will be attended by a record number of airlines.
Vice presidents and heads of network planning from 110 of the region’s leading and fastest-growing airlines will engage in over 3,500 meetings with airport and destination representatives to identify new route opportunities.
Carriers in attendance include Air India, AirAsia Group, Etihad Airways, Japan Airlines, Qantas, Thai Airways and Vietnam Airlines
— Bernama
