A digest of the event and industry news from The HUB Daily publications at Routes Asia at the Intercontinental Hotel in Chengdu, China this week...

Cambodia Airports and Narita International Airport Corporation Agree MoU
Senior executives from Cambodia Airports and Narita International Airports Corporation used Routes Asia to formally shake hands on a deal to develop potential new air services into Cambodia from Tokyo Narita Airport. Under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) the two companies will share network development resources, traffic forecasts and data and best practices to deliver new air services. This will start with a campaign to the respective governments of Cambodia and Japan to revise the current air services agreement between the two countries. The HUB spoke exclusively to Emmanuel Menanteau, Chief Executive Officer, Cambodia Airports and Hidharu Miyamoto, Director Corporate Strategies & Planning, Narita International Airport Corporation and a video will be uploaded to Routes TV next week.

Inside the Strategy Forum - The Key Quotes
The Routes Asia Strategy Forum attempted to highlight some of the key issues that are impacting the commercial aviation business across the entire Asian region. With a high profile list of speakers the content was specially developed to provide a unique insight into the business with informed moderators ensuring the key issues were not glossed over.

Chengdu and Melbourne Airports Sign Network Development MoU
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and Melbourne Airport have signed a new ‘sister airport’ agreement to foster new direct links and share experiences and best practice in areas such as route development. The agreement was signed in Chengdu ahead of the Routes Asia conference and will see the two airports working together to foster new international links and also share expertise in operations, planning and retailing

MEGA Maldives Eyes Europe for Growth
MEGA Maldives Airlines has plans to introduce a third aircraft into its fleet this year as it embarks on further expansion across the Asian continent and potential future growth into the European market. The company, dubbed the international airline of the Republic of Maldives, is an integrated service provider specialising in holiday travel to, from, and within Asia. It launched operations with a single Boeing 767-300ER in January 2011 and provides international links from both Male’ Ibrahim Nasir International Airport and Gan International Airport in the archipelago.

It's All Black and White to Me!
There was a real buzz around the breakfast tables on the morning of April 15, 2012 as delegates took the opportunity to enjoy some of the sights of Chengdu on the complementary tours organised by our event host, Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport. A large number of delegates took the opportunity to visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, with some even getting the chance to hug an eight month old baby Panda. One senior airline delegate described the experience as being “up there with watching a space shuttle launch,” and speaking to The HUB said: “They may be black and white, but that was a really colourful experience that I will never forget.

ASM Secures Manchester Airport Appointment
Respected aviation consultancy Airport Strategy & Marketing Limited (ASM) has recently been appointed to help Manchester Airport with its pursuit of new routes to Asia and specifically China. Tony Griffin, Senior Vice President, ASM Ltd said: "This is a prestigious assignment for ASM and one we are looking forward to to help deliver new services. The Routes Asia event was very positive for Manchester Airport and several very positive leads will be followed up on in the coming weeks."

Garuda Indonesia to Return to Auckland
Garuda Indonesia yesterday (April 16, 2012) signed a deal with Auckland International Airport as part of a visit by New Zealand’s Prime Minister, John Key to the Southeast Asian country. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in the Indonesian capital by Garuda’s Chief Executive Officer, Emirsyah Satar and Board Chairman of Auckland International Airport, Joan Withers and was witnessed by Indonesian Minister of Trade, Gita Wiryawan, and the New Zealand Premier.

Bahrain Air to Open Second Base in Saudi Arabia
Bahrain Air has confirmed it will establish a new hub in Saudi Arabia and will launch international flights from King Fahad International Airport in the city of Dammam to destinations in Lebanon and Sudan. The Middle East carrier will open the new base on June 13, 2012 with three times weekly rotations to both Beirut and Khartoum with a single based Airbus A320.

Ras Al Khaimah Start-up Plans Pakistan Launch
A new private airline in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) plans to take advantage of the strong ethnic traffic to and from Pakistan by launching flights between Ras Al Khaimah International Airport and the cities of Karachi and Lahore. According to media reports in the Gulf region, the privately-owned venture, MMA Airline, is backed by a 26-year-old Pakistani businessman from Abbottabad, Malek Naureed Awan and has been formally registered as a business within the Ras Al Khaimah Free Zone.

Etihad's Inaugural Basra Departure
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), operated its inaugural flight from Abu Dhabi to Basra in southern Iraq on April 15, 2012. The service, which operates four times weekly, marks the introduction of a third destination in Iraq for UAE carrier and it is being operated using an Airbus A320 configured with 16 Pearl Business Class and 120 Coral Economy class seats.

Air France Inaugurates Flights to Wuhan
Air France became the first European carrier to introduce flights to the Chinese city of Wuhan this week when it inaugurated a new three times weekly service to the city from its Paris CDG hub on April 11, 2012. The airline is using a Boeing 777-200ER on the route with seating for up to 309 passengers; 35 in Business, 24 in Premium Voyageur and 250 in the Voyageur/Economy cabin.