Routes Americas Boosted by Traffic Growth and US-Colombian Open Skies Agreement

Manchester, England (ots/PRNewswire) -

Region's Top Twenty Carriers to Attend Cartagena Event

Routes Americas 2013, which will take place in Cartagena, Colombia
from 10-12 February, will see the strongest airline list ever
assembled at the event. For the first time, the top 20 scheduled
carriers in the Americas will all be in attendance.

Participation in the event is boosted by growing passenger numbers
and air links across the region, triggered by strong economic growth
and more open markets in a number of key countries. Most recently, an
open skies agreement between the US and Colombia entered into force
on 1 January 2013, which already encouraged several airlines to
unveil plans to add services between the two countries this year.

David Stroud, Executive Vice President Routes, is looking forward to
the event: "The Americas is a very dynamic region that is rapidly
becoming more connected. We currently witness how growing economic
ties between different parts of the region combined with more open
markets lead to increasing passenger flows and new air services. This
is one of the main reasons why we see the region's top 20 carriers
attending Routes Americas this year. Something exciting is happening
in the Americas region, and everyone wants to be part of this growth
story."

Routes Americas, now in its 6th year, is the only annual event
designed to facilitate meetings between senior airport executives and
airline route decision makers as well as tourism authorities from
North, Central, South America and the Caribbean. This year's event is
hosted by Sociedad Aeroportuaria de la Costa S.A, and its partners;
Cartagena de Indias, Pro Export Colombia and The Ministry of Trade,
Industry and Tourism, Colombia.

"It is not a secret that Cartagena de Indias is thrilled with the
opportunity to host Routes Americas 2013," commented Ramon Pereira,
Legal Representative for Sociedad Aeroportuaria de la Costa S.A
(SACSA). Pereiera went on to explain: "We believe it will provide us
with a unique chance to engage with the most important airline
industry leaders, tourism consultants and airports, at a time of
exceptional change and enhanced opportunities in our city".

The event is expected to attract over 65 airlines from across the
region and beyond, as well as almost 120 airport delegates
representing 145 airports. All four US network carriers - US Airways,
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and the world's largest airline,
United Airlines - will be in Colombia for the event along with the
top US low-cost carriers Southwest, JetBlue and Spirit.

From other parts of the Americas region leading airlines such as Gol,
Volaris, COPA Airlines, Aeromexico, Colombia's home carrier,
Avianca-TACA and Vivaaerobus are expected at the event. Moreover, a
strong presence from Canada will be present at Cartagena with
delegates from Air Canada and leading low cost carrier WestJet. Out
of region carriers who have confirmed their attendance in the event
include Condor, Norwegian and Turkish Airlines.

Taking place on Sunday 10th February 2013 and open to all attending
delegates, the Routes Americas Strategy Summit, which is being held
in association with the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport
Association (ALTA), will open Routes Americas in Cartagena. The
Strategy Summit will provide a valuable insight into aviation across
the region as panels of leading industry experts take part in a
number of moderator-led discussions addressing key air service
development issues effecting commercial aviation across the entire
Americas.

Attendees of the Summit, which is sponsored by Corporacion Quiport
S.A., will hear opening remarks from Minister Sergio Diaz-Granados,
Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism for Colombia and keynote
addresses from Alex de Gunten, Executive Director of ALTA and
Estuardo Ortiz, Chief Operating Officer of AviancaTaca. Four
moderator led sessions covering various aviation related subjects
affecting the Americas region will then take place including senior
level delegates such as Hernan Pasman, CEO of LAN Colombia who was
recently added to the programme.

If you have editorial responsibility and would like to register as a
free of charge press delegate for Routes Americas, please contact
Victoria Jones at Routes providing your name, company / publication
name, job title and email address.

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

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