Routes Europe kicked-off in style yesterday with an engaging and thought-provoking Strategy Summit that debated some of the key topics impacting the aviation business across the region. This included a discussion on what Europe needs right now; a look at the innovators and drivers of change in the European aviation market and the next steps in the developing low-cost longer-haul model; a questioning of the sustainability of the regional airline model; presentations from sponsors Air BP and Embraer and a data analysis on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

The Strategy Summit preceded last night’s Welcome Reception at the Stara Zajezdnia Kraków by DeSilva in Kraków, Poland. Speaking to Routesonline at the event, Adrian Newton, Group Director, Aviation & Technology, UBM EMEA said: "It is wonderful to return back to Poland as Routes Europe celebrates its eleventh event in the country it first started out in back in 2006. The event now is unrecognisable from its inauguration in Warsaw and this year will represent the largest ever Routes Europe regional event we have organised with delegate numbers up around 20 percent on last year."

Here's some of the highlights from day one of the event...