AFTER a successful World Routes in Berlin, Germany, Berlin Brandenburg Airport Willy Brandt has officially handed over to Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) who will host the 18th World Route Development Forum from September 30 – October 2, 2012.
Speaking at the press conference in Berlin James Bennett, CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports Company said: “World Routes is the aviation event of the year, as it brings together airlines, airports and tourism authorities, and acts as a platform for airlines and airports to investigate route opportunities, as well as identifying areas for ongoing business development. We are delighted and eager to showcase to this audience of aviation experts and professionals, Abu Dhabi: an attractive and dynamic destination, with the business and leisure potential that ensure a successful and sustainable route from airlines.”
Abu Dhabi is one of the world’s richest cities and fast becoming one of its top destinations, equally accessible from Europe, Asia & Africa. Among the many attractions Abu Dhabi has to offer are the parks, fountains and beach of the Corniche, the Grand Mosque and the Ferrari World theme park, alongside the F1 circuit on Yas Island. The Lonely Planet Guide voted Abu Dhabi a “must see” destination in 2010.
In 2010, Abu Dhabi International Airport saw a 12.2 per cent increase in its passenger traffic handling 11 million passengers. Up to August of this year, Abu Dhabi International Airport has already handled 7.5 million passengers recording a 12 per cent growth compared with the same period in 2010.
“This will be the pinnacle event of the 2012 Routes calendar including Routes Americas in Nassau, Routes Asia in Chengdu, Routes Europe in Tallinn, Routes CIS in Ekaterinburg and Routes Africa, destination to be announced,” said David Stroud, executive vice president Airports, Routes of UBM Aviation, continuing: “Abu Dhabi will provide us with a Routes first where we return to a previous host city. World Routes was held there in 1996, as the event was in its formative period, we are delighted to be returning.”
A multi-billion dollar re-development and expansion of Abu Dhabi International Airport is currently underway and is designed to increase the overall capacity of the airport to more than 20 million passengers per year. As part of this redevelopment, a second runway and a third terminal have been completed. Next year the event is expected to grow again and the 18th World Route Development Forum is expected to be the largest ever planned, as more than 3,000 decision-making delegates are estimated to attend the event.