The global airline, airport, and destination communities will be uniting at Routes World 2024, taking place at the Bahrain International Circuit from 6-8 October.
Against a backdrop of robust growth – with 10.4% annual increase in global passenger numbers predicted (IATA) – more than 2,300 decision-makers will gather to forge the future of global air travel.
Marking its 29th edition, Routes World 2024 will convene vice presidents and network planning heads from 230 of the world’s leading airlines, facilitating over 9,000 meetings with airport and destination representatives to discover new route opportunities.
Participating airlines from the Middle East include Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad, Turkish Airlines, Air Arabia, Gulf Air, Saudia, Royal Jordanian, Oman Air, flynas, flydubai, Jazeera Air, Riyadh Air and more.
The Conference Programme, sponsored by Airbus, Expedia Group Media Solutions, and Noida International Airport, promises engaging discussions and valuable takeaways, featuring more than 10 hours of expert insights from industry leaders, airline executives, and renowned experts.
Some confirmed speakers include:
- Jeffrey Goh, CEO, Gulf Air Group Holding
- Con Korfiatis, CEO, Oman Air
- Tony Douglas, CEO, Riyadh Air
- Adel Abdullah Ali, CEO, Air Arabia
- Steven Greenway, CEO, flyadeal
- Justin Erbacci, Director General, ACI World
- Vivian Cheung, Acting CEO, Airport Authority Hong Kong
- Christoph Schnellmann, CEO, Noida International Airport
- Julian Jäger, CEO, Vienna Airport
On 8 October, the final day of the conference, Routes World 2024 will also host the inaugural Tourism Seasonality Summit, a collaborative effort with Low Season Traveller and PATA. This Summit, sponsored by Milan Airports and YesMilan, will bring together thought leaders to share cutting-edge approaches to overcoming seasonal tourism patterns. Speakers, include:
- Yrjötapio Kivisaari, President & CEO, Visit Oulu
- Sara Ahmed Buhiji, CEO, Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA)
- Sthembiso Dlamini, CEO, Gauteng Tourism Authority
- Stacy Cox, CEO, Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association
- Colin James, CEO, Antigua & Barbuda Tourism
- Petra Roach, CEO, Grenada Tourism Authority
Commencing on Sunday 6 October and concluding on Tuesday 8 October, Steven Small, director of Routes, stated, “We are thrilled to host the 29th edition of Routes World at Exhibition World Bahrain. Bahrain is establishing itself as a leading regional hub for conferences and exhibitions. With major investments in infrastructure and tourism projects, Bahrain is set to enhance its position as an international tourism center.”
Mohamed Yousif AlBinfalah, Chief Executive Officer of Bahrain Airport Company, said, “We are honoured to host Routes World 2024 and welcome aviation leaders from across the globe to experience Bahrain’s exceptional hospitality and connectivity. This event aligns perfectly with our vision to establish Bahrain as a global aviation and tourism hub, leveraging our strategic location and world-class infrastructure. This is also in line with Bahrain’s vision and our five-year strategy to connect the Kingdom to 100 destinations by 2026 and increase the number of airlines operating out of Bahrain International Airport.”
Bahrain International Airport’s impressive growth is driven by the introduction of several new routes, resulting in a 13.2% surge in passenger traffic, serving 4.6 million travelers during the first half of 2024. The airport’s new Passenger Terminal, which opened in January 2021, has significantly expanded capacity to handle over 14 million passengers and 130,000 flights annually.
Hosting Routes World 2024 is expected to drive further growth in Bahrain’s MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) and tourism industries. According Small, previous host destinations have seen their air route networks expand by 5.2% faster than their competitors.
