Sales for Routes Europe 2012, the only network planning forum for all of the European region, officially opened today.

The seventh instalment of the event will take place May 20th-22nd 2012 and, hosted by Tallinn Airport, will be held in Tallinn the historic capital city of Estonia.

With Routes Europe growing year on year this annual event will see over 700 key decision makers from airlines, airports, tourism authorities and their stakeholders descend on Tallinn to meet, do business and plan for the future.

This unrivalled event will also provide all attendees with an opportunity to prepare for World Routes which will take place later in the year in Abu Dhabi.

The event attracts a wide variety of airlines with low-cost, charter, regional and flag carriers all in attendance and represented by delegates who are responsible for making decisions on both new and existing routes.

Among others airlines such as Air Baltic, Air Europa, easyJet, Norwegian.com, Flybe and Meridiana have already confirmed their attendance for the 2012 event.

In addition to the traditional one-to-one meetings airport delegates attending Routes Europe in 2012 will have the opportunity to arrange ‘city pair’ meetings with other airports at no additional cost.

These market to market meetings can allow the two airports to identify new opportunities, share ideas and exchange data and contacts to jointly plan strategies and presentations giving the airlines a complete route picture.

Tallinn, a 2011 European Capital of Culture, is an eclectic mix of old and new, with an 800 year history the Medieval Old Town houses gothic spires and medieval markets alongside cappuccino and Wi-Fi creating a diverse mixture of historic ambience and cutting edge culture.

Estonia is also known for its advances in technological development and is credited with the invention of the free internet telephone service, Skype, which is available at Tallinn Airport and even on trains and buses.

Erik Sakkov, member of management board for Tallinn Airport commented: “We are looking forward to finally having the opportunity to show the potential of Tallinn and Estonia as a unique and diverse leisure and business destination to key decision makers in the industry.

“I can guarantee that after feeling, breathing and tasting Tallinn you will be very positively surprised and will keep coming back!”