Day 3 Wrap-Up: Paving the Way for Next-Gen Air Connectivity

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

Email: hussianm@newsofbahrain.com

As Routes 2024 concluded yesterday, the spotlight shifted toward securing new connections and enhancing airport strategies in a competitive global market. Day three saw industry leaders tackle crucial topics surrounding air service development, passenger behavior insights, and preparations for next year’s Routes summit.

How Airports Can Attract Fast-Growing Carriers

The day's opening panel featured airline and airport development experts who shared insights into the strategic collaborations that fuel the growth of new routes. Moderated by Evan Berg, Director of Air Service Development at Informa, the panel included industry heavyweights such as Agi Smith from easyJet, Michael Simionescu from AirAsia Group, and Henri-Charles Ozarovsky of TAP Portugal.

Their discussion focused on actionable tactics airports can implement to attract fast-growing carriers, such as leveraging data analytics to understand passenger demand, creating effective incentive programs, and overcoming the challenges airports face in competitive markets. As Smith noted, “Successful partnerships are built on understanding what airlines need—from passenger flow to route sustainability.”

The panelists highlighted the value of collaborative marketing efforts and data-driven decision-making in route development. Simionescu added, “Airports that show a deep understanding of their catchment area and passenger behaviors have the upper hand in securing new services."

Maximizing Catchment Area Understanding

In a data-driven world, gaining an edge often comes down to understanding where passengers are coming from and why they make the choices they do. Aidan Mooney, Vice President of Consulting at ASM Global Route Development, delivered a focused session on using airport catchment area data to optimize air service strategies. Mooney emphasized that airports can refine their approach to attracting carriers by leveraging deeper insights into passenger movement and travel behavior.

Meet the Hosts of Routes 2025

The final session, moderated by Nico Spyrou from Routes, offered a glimpse into the future as representatives from upcoming host cities previewed next year’s event destinations. Featuring Antonio Martín-Machuca Alés from Andalusia, Kate Holsgrove from Perth Airport, Vivian Cheung of Hong Kong Airport Authority, and Jan Knowles from Nassau Airport Development Company, the discussion shed light on each host airport's preparation strategies.

Each representative outlined how they plan to leverage the global spotlight of Routes 2025 to highlight their facilities, enhance stakeholder engagement, and establish new industry partnerships. Cheung emphasized that for Hong Kong, this will be a chance to reinforce its position as a major international hub: "We see Routes 2025 as an opportunity to show our commitment to growth after challenging years."

The Road Ahead for Routes

As the conference drew to a close, the themes of collaboration, innovation, and strategic thinking resonated strongly throughout the day. For Bahrain, hosting Routes 2024 was more than just an event—it was a show of ambition as it aims to strengthen its role as a global hub for aviation. Looking ahead to 2025, all eyes now turn to Andalusia, Perth, Hong Kong, and Nassau, where the Routes legacy will continue.