·
New
route development forum will include unlimited one-to-one pre-scheduled
appointments, a packed conference programme and airline & industry
briefings
·
Region’s
airlines strengthening connection with Europe with new routes to Budapest,
Naples, Prague and Belgrade commencing in 2019
More
than 40
airlines and over 60 represented airports have confirmed their participation at
the inaugural CONNECT Middle East, India
and Africa – co-located with Arabian Travel Market 2019
and taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre on Tuesday 30th April
and Wednesday 1st May.
With
up to 300 delegates, the forum will include a diverse conference programme, including
panel discussions, keynotes, Q&A’s and airline & industry briefings as
well as unlimited one-to-one meetings pre-scheduled for airlines, airports and
suppliers - all combined with endless informal opportunities for networking.
Throughout
2018, the busiest long-haul Middle Eastern flight route was Dubai International
Airport to London Heathrow Airport, with 7,109 flights between March 2018 and
February 2019, according to the latest analysis from leading travel data
provider OAG.
In
terms of short-haul flights, the busiest Middle Eastern route was between King
Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and King Khalid International Airport
in Riyadh with 35,419 flights, while the busiest international route within the
region was between Dubai International Airport and Kuwait International Airport
with 14,581 flights.
 |
| nick-pilbeam-divisional-director-reed-travel-exhibitions |
Nick
Pilbeam,
Divisional Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions,
said: “2018 was a busy year for flight routes both to and from the Middle East
and as we look ahead this trend is expected to continue with IATA predicting an
extra 290 million air passengers on routes to, from and within the region by
2037 - with the total market size increasing to 501 million passengers during
the same period.
“This
projected growth underscores Dubai, and of course the Middle East, as the ideal
location to bring together professionals from the aviation and tourism industry
for the inaugural CONNECT Middle East, India and Africa forum.”
In
2018, GCC airlines added 58 new flight routes – focusing on areas of consistent
and substantial growth - according to research from Colliers International -
based on a sample of 10 airlines including Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, Salaam
Air, Oman Air, Gulf Air, Saudia, flyadeal, Air Arabia and IndiGo Airlines.
Looking
at the UAE alone, almost 50% of new routes introduced in 2018 were to
destinations across Europe - with the second largest share of new flights
connecting the UAE with Russia.
Karin Butot, CEO,
The
Airport Agency, said: “With
two thirds of the world’s population within an eight-hour flight from the GCC
it is an ideal base for exploring some of the world’s most interesting and
previously inaccessible corners of the world. And, GCC as well as various
Middle Eastern airlines are making it even easier with the continuous addition
of new and direct flight routes.
“2019
is set to be an exciting year for new routes – particularly between the Middle
East and Europe – with various new and direct flights announced by UAE airlines
to destinations such as Budapest, Naples, Prague and Belgrade as well as an
increased number of flights to Barcelona and London.”
The
inaugural CONNECT Middle East, India and Africa will witness a strong
delegation of both Middle Eastern and European carriers such as Air Arabia,
Oman Air, Saudia, Etihad, Flynas and Flydubai– as well as airports including London
Stansted, Basel, Bologna, Vienna, Fraport TAV Antalya and Belgrade.
With a
focus on the European aviation market, a keynote from Annabelle Lepiece,
Partner for CMS DeBacker and CMS Belgium titled ‘European Union External
Aviation Policy’ will discuss the ongoing negotiations for comprehensive air
transport agreements between the EU and the GCC which are being hampered by
protectionist voices.
Also taking
place on day one of the forum will be a panel titled ‘Regional Focus: What are
the opportunities and challenges for the Middle East region?’ will address the
on-going geo-political challenges and volatile fuel prices affecting the
aviation industry at present while discussing how new and emerging destinations
are positioning themselves to attract and develop significant air passenger
traffic.
Other
highlights from the two-day forum will include a training workshop on the
‘Simpson Paradox’, an Airbus briefing session which will provide an update on
the current Airbus product line and a China Southern Airline briefing which
will discuss the airline’s dual-hub strategy between Guangzhou Baiyun
International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport as well as their
cooperation strategy.
CONNECT’s online meeting system is opened, so
that delegates can plan and book their onsite appointments in advance. Please
log on to: www.connect-aviation.com/2019-meia/ for
more details.
CONNECT Middle East,
India & Africa will form part of the newly launched Arabian
Travel Week, an umbrella brand comprising four co-located shows
including ATM 2019; ILTM
Arabia and new consumer-led event – ATM Holiday Shopper.
Arabian Travel Week will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre from 27 April –
1 May 2019
