Senior management from Liverpool John Lennon Airport in the UK will be among the 2,500 delegates expected to attend World Routes in Durban, South Africa from this weekend as the network development forum is seen as a ‘cost effective’ way to build relationships with airlines from all over the world and to promote the airport and the city region to the aviation industry.

In an official statement to the media, the airport describes the event as “the meeting place” for the world's airport/airline route development industry and confirmed it “has been successful at generating new business as a direct consequence of attending this and its European equivalent event in the past”.

With 20 meetings already confirmed with airlines from Europe and further afield, the team from the airport hopes that talks held during the four day event will lead to further new business opportunities, building on its recent success.

“This is always an important event for us, but what’s interesting is that many airlines are just as interested to talk to us as we are to talk to them and a real sign of the progress we have been making here in recent months,” said Mark Povall, director of air service development, Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

Over the past 12 months Liverpool John Lennon Airport has secured flights from five new airlines, announced eleven new services to seven new destinations, bringing over 90 additional flights per week.

Like many UK airports, Liverpool John Lennon Airport has had a strong 2015 and recorded its seventh consecutive month of growth during August, with year-on-year passenger growth of 7.24 per cent. Total passengers for August exceeded 470,000 with increases in available seat capacity and strong load factor performance contributing to the impressive growth this year.

The team from Liverpool Airport will also be joined by Director of Marketing Liverpool, Chris Brown who will also attend to help showcase the Liverpool City Region and the close partnership with the Airport.

“As the city’s visitor and investment offer continues to grow it is important that we convey this message in conjunction with LJLA to airlines who are seeking to develop new routes. Following a successful European Routes event in Aberdeen, the opportunity to take our message to World Routes provides another excellent platform and opportunity for us,” he said.