Route Exchange, the online platform for air service development, is delighted to announce three new Request for Proposals (RFPs) from airlines looking at using the facility to support their network growth.

Details of the RFPs are outlined below, all due to commence between August 20 and September 3.

SAUDIA

Recently re-branded Saudia, now part of the Skyteam Alliance, will launch its Request for Proposal from September 3. Looking at designated markets from Jeddah and Riyadh, Saudia has a number of long-range aircraft entering the fleet, which will be used for new route development. This is a significant opportunity for airports on a global basis.

MINOAN AIR

Minoan Air is looking to fly unserved routes within the EU with its fleet of Fokker 50 aircraft. Minoan will be very interested to speak with airports that can prove market potential from their airports.

RAF-AVIA

RAF-Avia today announced their interest in the European and Nordic markets via the Route Exchange. From August 20, airports registered with the Route Exchange will have access to the Formal Request for Proposal document, detailing RAF-Avia’s desire to develop their network in these markets.

Jelena Rigere, Commercial Director from Raf-Avia, explained: “I have chosen to announce our interest in the European and Nordic markets via the Route Exchange and to request proposals via the online Request for Proposals platform because of the reach of airports Routes has access to. Being able to compare the proposals airports submit on a like-for-like basis helps us to determine the operational and commercial viability of operating at each airport. This is paramount to the success of our commercial planning and key to developing our customer proposition.”

In a further development, US low-cost carrier, JetBlue Airways, became the latest carrier to agree to launch an RFP via the Route Exchange platform, details of which are to be released shortly.

Declan Maguire, Business Development Manager for Route Exchange, stated: “We are delighted to welcome a further three airlines into the Route Exchange RFP process; Saudia, Minoan, and RAF-Avia all have a clear focus on who they wish to target, and Route Exchange will allow them to gather crucial information and data from their target airports in order to make key decisions about their future planning. They join CEBU Pacific, Aer Lingus, Scoot, IndiGo, and Air Asia X as airlines who have successfully used this unique platform, and we plan to announce many more in the near future.”

Once airports have met the terms of the Prequalifying Questionnaire (PQQ), they will then be sent the formal RFP where they can complete a pre-defined data requirements and a proposal document. The airlines will then analyze the submissions before scheduling meetings with potential new airport partners at World Routes, September 29-October 2 this year in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.