World Routes Kicks Off in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, Uae (ots/PRNewswire) -

2,800 delegates, 750 airports and 300 airlines gather in the
capital of the UAE for the world's largest commercial aviation event

40 airline CEOs and 16 tourism ministers expected

World Routes, the 18th World Route Development Forum was
officially opened today by Abu Dhabi Airports Company's (ADAC) CEO,
James Bennett. The event, which takes place over four days, will
attract 2,800 senior professionals who represent over 300 airlines
and 750 airports as well as numerous governments, destinations and
tour operators.

There are more airline delegates registered this year than at any
previous event, representing all leading airlines including
Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France/KLM, Etihad, Emirates, United
Airlines, LATAM, COPA, South African, Air China, China Eastern
Airlines and Qantas as well as airports from around the globe. The
event will also see more senior executives in attendance than in
previous years, with 40 airline CEOs and 250 airport CEOs and board
members as well as 16 tourism ministers registered to attend.
Carriers which have confirmed that their CEO will be in attendance in
Abu Dhabi include Kenya Airways, Air Arabia, CSA-Czech Airlines,
Etihad Airways, Vueling and Air Seychelles.

On the first day of the event the World Route Development Strategy
Summit, which takes place alongside World Routes, was launched with a
keynote speech by ADAC CEO, James E. Bennett. The summit provided a
platform for industry leaders to discuss key on-going topics that
impact this dynamic and ever-evolving industry. Key topics
highlighted during the summit included: taxation; rising oil prices;
aeropolitics; environmental factors; sustainable route development;
economic development; and, general regional perspectives on aviation
and its potential for growth.

Along with the summit opening, Routes held a joint press
conference with Abu Dhabi Airports Company to announce the launch of
the event and to engage with the 180 accredited journalists on Route
Development strategies and trends. In addition, the first day of the
forum started with meetings held between airlines and airports to
seek and plan for new routes.

David Stroud, Executive Vice President, Routes comments: "This
year's World Routes might well be the largest commercial aviation
event ever held, and it is more than appropriate that it takes place
in the Middle East, the fastest growing aviation market in the world.
The event demonstrates in an impressive way how dynamic the global
aviation sector is, despite the challenging economic and regulatory
environment."

"The format is unique, as it is the only event which brings
together hundreds of airlines and airports from all corners of the
world. Delegates meet for tightly-scheduled face to face discussions
over three days with the aim to discuss and agree on new air
services. In total, around 16,000 meetings will take place in Abu
Dhabi."

H.E. Ali Majed Al Mansoori, Chairman of ADAC, said: "The Middle
East region has registered a 17.3% growth in passenger traffic in the
first 8 months of 2012, as per the traffic report released by IATA,
becoming the fastest growing region in the world. ADAC is extremely
proud to host key aviation leaders from around the globe here in the
heart of this dynamic region. This world class event will provide a
platform to map out plans for growth in the aviation industry, but
most importantly will allow Abu Dhabi to showcase its world-class
airports and aviation services, and to work even closer with airlines
in delivering new routes and destinations to Abu Dhabi airports."

"The aviation sector is one of the 12 sectors that form the
Emirate's engines of economic, social and cultural growth and
diversification," said Al Mansoori. "Our leaders' recognition that
this sector is essential for connecting the Emirate to the world, has
been translated to significant investment in air transport, enabling
Abu Dhabi International Airport to become one of the fastest growing
international airport hubs. This commitment has also allowed Abu
Dhabi to establish itself as a global centre for tourism, trade and
industry in the sixteen years since Abu Dhabi last hosted the World
Route Development Forum."

This year's event programme has been extended to include full days
on both Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th with delegates invited to
"Experience Abu Dhabi", attend the World Route Development Strategy
Summit and further enjoy the unique one-to-one networking, briefing,
and meeting opportunities. Exclusive Route Exchange Airline Briefings
by airlines such as Etihad, Air Canada, Southwest, Iberia, and
Aeromexico will also allow airlines to brief airports directly on
their requirements and various market opportunities.

This marks the first time the event has returned to a previous
host city. Back in 1996, Abu Dhabi's downtown Hilton Hotel was the
setting for the first hosted World Routes event. 16 years later,
delegates will be able to witness for themselves the immense changes
that demonstrate how the city's future as a world class destination
is taking shape.

Routes organises world-renowned airline and airport networking
events through its regional and global Route Development Forums. For
more information on the programme, please visit http://www.routesonli
ne.com/events/150/the-18th-world-route-development-forum or visit
http://www.adac.ae

Notes to Editors

About Routes

- Routes organises world-renowned airline and airport 
networking events
          through its regional and global Route Development Forums. 
Each year, there is one
          global event and one regional event in Asia, Africa, 
Europe, the Americas and CIS
          respectively. http://www.routesonline.com

- Routes was founded in 1995 as part of the Manchester 
UK?based ASM Ltd.,
          a consultancy specialising in the field of route 
development for airports.
          http://www.asm?global.com 
[http://www.asm%E2%80%90global.com ]

- Routes and ASM were acquired by UBM Aviation Worldwide Ltd 
in August 2010.
          From 1st August 2012 Routes, ASM and the Airport Cities 
Conference and Exhibition
          become part of the UBM Live division of UBM plc.

- UBM Live connects people and creates opportunities for 
companies across
          five continents to develop new business, meet customers, 
launch new products, promote
          their brands and expand their markets. Through premiere 
brands such as MD&M, CPhI,
          IFSEC, TFM&A, Cruise Shipping Miami, the Concrete Show, the
Routes portfolio of
          events, Airport Cities and many others, UBM Live 
exhibitions, conferences, awards
          programs, publications, websites and training and 
certification programs are an
          integral part of the marketing plans of companies across 
more than 20 industry
          sectors. http://www.ubmlive.com

Follow us on twitter: @Routesonline, @TheHUBRoutes,
@VictoriaRoutes, @RouteExchange, @airlineroute

About Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC)

Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) is a public joint-stock company
wholly owned by the Abu Dhabi Government. It was incorporated by
Amiri Decree number 5, issued on 4 March 2006, to spearhead the
development of the Emirate's aviation infrastructure. In September
2006, ADAC assumed responsibility for the operation and management of
Abu Dhabi and Al Ain International Airports. In 2008, ADAC added Al
Bateen Executive Airport (an exclusive private aviation airport), and
Sir Bani Yas and Delma Island Airports to its portfolio. These
airports are geared to serve the various segments of air travellers,
the aviation marketplace, and will help contribute to Abu Dhabi's
development as a destination for both business and leisure tourism.

Currently under way is the multi-billion dollar re-development and
expansion of Abu Dhabi International Airport designed to increase the
overall capacity of the airport to more than 40 million passengers
per year. As part of this redevelopment, a second runway and a third
terminal have been completed.

ORIGINAL APA-OTS TEXT - THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE IS SUBJECT TO THE EXCLUSIVE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ISSUER | PRN

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