World Routes 2014

The 20th World Route Development Forum

Chicago, Illinois, USA
20 – 23 September 2014

My World Routes

As we approach our 20th edition of World Routes, we recently interviewed some of our regular attendees and staff asking for their memories of past World Routes events. Read some of the responses we received below and keep checking back for more. If you would like to share some of your memories, please leave a comment on the right!

How has World Routes benefitted your business?

Simon R. Miller

Simon R. Miller

Senior Manager Market Intelligence, Berlin Brandenburg Airport

“Making the Berlin Brandenburg market known in the aviation industry worldwide. Keep in close touch with existing and potential new customers worldwide. Over the years I was able to develop close friendships with colleagues from other airports or customers through attending the events.”


Cormac O'Connell

Cormac O'Connell

General Manager Customer Relationship, Dublin Airport

“Routes, in all its many faces, has greatly helped our business development efforts and to advance business cases to existing and prospective customer airlines in a very structured way. It sets up a great opportunity to meet the faces at the end of those telephone calls and helps develop relationships that move as the business moves.”


Miguel Oliver

Miguel Oliver

Commercial Strategy, Network Planning & Scheduling Director, Air Nostrum - Iberia Regional

“In 1999 we were a very small regional Airline with very few international routes, Routes has benefitted Air Nostrum/Iberia Regional, in being able to develop a huge European and North African Network, allowing us to operate in more than 10 different countries, and develop nearly 200 new routes.”


Molly Waits

Molly Waits

Houston Airport System

“We have gained new or improved air service based directly from our meetings and ongoing conversations held during World Routes. Specifically, we proceeded forward with our initiative to develop an A380 capable gate at IAH as a follow-up to a meeting held at Routes in 2011 with an airline partner (Lufthansa). Roughly ten months later, they brought their A380 to serve the Houston market starting August 1, 2012.”

What's your most memorable moment at World Routes?

Molly Waits

Molly Waits

Houston Airport System

“There are so many memorable moments, I don’t know that I could say just one. But, our airport have been honored to be nominated for the Routes Marketing awards several times, and that has always been an exciting opportunity for our team!”


JIM PARASHOS

JIM PARASHOS

DIRECTOR COMMERCIAL & AVIATION DEVELOPMENT, Darwin Airport

“There are probably three highlights: 1. SilkAir confirming Darwin services in Berlin 2011 for commencement March 2012; 2. Winning the World Routes Airport marketing award in abu dhabi (2012); 3. Winning the World Routes Airport marketing award in Las Vegas (2013). Winning two Routes Asia in between was also a highlight.”


Michael Curtis

Michael Curtis

International Business Development Manager, Gold Coast Airport

“The most memorable moment was winning the Airport Marketing Award at World Routes In Kuala Lumpur in 2008.”

What is your World Routes essential survival item?

Chris Sanders

Chris Sanders

Aviation Development Director, Leeds Bradford® Airport

“Has to be the Routes events app now – before that it was the World Routes delegate directory.”


Adil Zebdi

Adil Zebdi

Commercial Director, Zz/Zenith Airways

“My World Routes essential survival item is to follows the demand of airports and how airlines we must fulfil them, and conversely how we can inform the airports of the requirements of the airline industry (taxes, fuel distribution in airport, slots etc.).”


Victoria Jones

Victoria Jones

Portfolio Manager, Routes

“A bottle of water – always keep one handy as I do so much talking to people at World Routes I always suffer from ‘Routes Voice’ (otherwise known as lack of voice!).”

What was your first World Routes event?

Miguel Oliver

Miguel Oliver

Commercial Strategy, Network Planning & Scheduling Director, Air Nostrum - Iberia Regional

“My first World Routes was in 1999 in Rome. It was a very nice conference. I still remember that there was not a proper Gala Dinner, just a very nice Dinner with a small group of delegates. I do not remember the exact number, but I think there was no more than 100 people.”


Cormac O'Connell

Cormac O'Connell

General Manager Customer Relationship, Dublin Airport

“My first Routes event was the very first one in Cannes. It was a great event to be at as it set up a schedule that was loosely arranged and gathered the airport and airline folks under one roof for a few days. That informality gave everyone the opportunity to meet and discuss opportunities over a table, piano bar or a beer!”


David Appleby

David Appleby

Director, Air Service Development Consulting, Routes

“My first ever Routes event was World Routes 2007 in Stockholm which was not only my first ever Routes event but it was also my very first day on the job!”

What keeps you coming back to the event?

Simon R. Miller

Simon R. Miller

Senior Manager Market Intelligence, Berlin Brandenburg Airport

“People and contacts change, new airlines and potential markets come up. This industry is changing so fast, you need to come back every year to keep up with the changes and make sure you always have the right contacts and develop relationships with them.”


Claire Werkmeister

Claire Werkmeister

Manager Air Services, Misc Users

“Realistically, my job! But I do think it is an important event to attend to ensure I keep up to date with what is happening in relation to my market, other markets and be able to make face time with key stakeholders. Plus I get to see the friends many of those stakeholders have become.”


Matthew Findlay

Matthew Findlay

Route Development Manager, Left Organisation

“The conferences are always a great way to make initial connections or reconnect with potential and present airline customers.”