Largest World Routes ever hosted by Berlin Brandenburg Airport
A record number of senior industry figures and delegates will turn Berlin into the centre of the
aviation world for the coming three days.
This year’s World Routes will be attended by more airlines and airports than any previous event, confirming World Routes’ position as the largest commercial aviation event in the world.
A total of 2,700 delegates are expected at this year’s event, hosted by Berlin Brandenburg Airport.
They represent 300 airlines and 800 airports from all over the world as well as tour operators,
destinations and tourist boards who are gathering in Berlin to directly shape the world’s air services.
Speaking at the opening press conference today, David Stroud, Executive Vice President Airports, at
Routes organiser UBM Aviation Ltd, said: “I am delighted to see so many senior attendees from
airlines, airports and tourism authorities this year. The 15,000 meetings which will take place over
the coming three days will help shape our industry for the coming years. The creation of the World
Route Development Strategy Summit has given them a true platform from which to influence and
comment on key issues for the industry.”
World Routes 2011 is hosted by Berlin Brandenburg Airport. The German capital’s new gateway will
open in June 2012 and is to become Europe’s most modern airport.
Prof Dr Rainer Schwarz, CEO of Berlin Airports, said: “We are delighted to host the first ever World
Routes event Germany. The future Berlin Brandenburg Airport which will open next June offers
fantastic opportunities for growth for airlines from around the world. Being at the heart of the
world’s aviation community gives us an excellent opportunity to highlight Berlin’s advantages. Next
year we will open Europe’s most modern airport, which marks the next chapter in the history of air
travel in Berlin: A single, modern airport for a unified, modern city.”
Berlin is now served by 80 airlines flying to 161 destinations in 52 countries, including 13 long-haul
connections.
Burkhard Kieker, CEO of visitBerlin, said: “We are delighted that the world’s aviation community has
come together in Berlin, Europe’s third most popular tourist destination. As this high-level event
shows, Berlin is becoming an ever more popular city for congresses and conventions. In this
segment, we now rank fourth in the world.”
2011 will add a brand new element to World Routes. The co-located World Route Development
Strategy Summit on 2 and 3 October will provide the latest insights from over 50 high-profile
aviation leaders and CEOs, including Hussain Dabbas, President and CEO, Royal Jordanian Airline,
Alex Cruz, CEO of Vueling, and James Bennett, CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports Company. The conference
will focus on the most significant challenges currently facing the air transport industry and showcase
the latest innovations in key growth markets.