World Routes, 18th World Route Development Forum will take place from 29th September- October 2nd 2012 and is hosted by Abu Dhabi Airports Company and supported by official carrier Etihad Airways and Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority. 

World Routes is the largest global event of its kind which this year will take place in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, one of the most easily accessible and centrally located cities on earth. 

Wizz Air the largest low-fare, low-cost airline in central and eastern Europe have just confirmed their registration for World Routes in Abu Dhabi, they complete a contingent of all of the major European Low Cost Carriers who are signed up to the event.

easyJet, Wizz, Norwegian, Vueling and Germanwings will all host tables at the event to take meetings with airports and tourism authorities to decide the future of Europe’s air services.

This consolidates a very strong European airline presence with majors British Airways, Iberia, Lufthansa, Air France/KLM, Air Berlin, Swiss, SAS, LOT Polish all signed up.

Up to 300 airlines are expected to join them in Abu Dhabi including a strong presence from the Americas with all four US majors coming; American Airlines, US Airways, Delta Airlines, and United, the world’s largest carrier.

From Latin America, Copa and Aeromexico are sending high level delegation and within Asia there is a strong Chinese presence with China Southern, China Eastern, Hainan, Air China as well as major carriers such as Malaysia Airlines, Philippine Airlines, JAL, ANA, Vietnam Airlines and Hong Kong Airlines.

The Middle East is also well represented with Emirates, Etihad, Qatar, Gulf Air, Flydubai plus some smaller airlines such as Air Arabia (first timer) and Bahrain Air.

In addition to the one to one meetings at the event some of the key airlines attending will be delivering

Route Exchange Airline Briefings, these briefings are unique to Routes events and offer airlines the chance to brief airports and their destinations on their future plans and potential opportunities.

Paul Winfield, airline relations director for Routes commented: “We are delighted that Europe’s Low Cost Airlines have now confirmed their attendance at World Routes this year, this shows the commitment of these airlines to meet with airports and destinations to gather data and information that will directly affect the world’s future air services.”