World Routes will this weekend bring together senior decision makers from airports, destinations and airlines to negotiate new air services.

Around 2,600 delegates from 130 countries will meet during four days at Barcelona’s Fira Gran Via.

A record number of 275 airlines will be represented including the world’s top ten largest carriers.

They will be joined by 610 airports and 90 tourism authorities from across the globe.

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and a leading tourist destination.

Nine million tourists and four million cruise passengers visit Barcelona every year, with the wider Catalan region welcoming 17 million tourists in total.

The government of Catalonia is hosting the event with support from Barcelona City Council.

One of their aims is to gain more long-haul routes for Barcelona El Prat Airport ‒ just one third of its intercontinental traffic is direct.

Steven Small, brand director of Routes, said: “World Routes 2017 promises to be outstanding with record-breaking numbers of airlines and airports.

“I’m confident that our delegates will have an extremely productive event and take the opportunity to explore Catalonia’s charms.”

Barcelona will be the centre of global aviation when the annual World Routes takes place from September 23rd-26th.