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Opening Remarks
Hear more about why Routes World 2025 is taking place in Hong Kong.
Routes World 2025
Hong Kong
• 24 – 26 September 2025
Conference Programme
The Routes World conference programme will bring together senior leaders from the route development and aviation industries.
Comprising keynote interviews, panel discussions, airline briefings and best practice workshops, the Routes World 2025 conference programme will provide an exclusive platform for aviation leaders from around the globe to outline the latest market insights and provide expert advice that will inform business strategy.
Platinum Conference Sponsors
Airbus always has been at the forefront of innovating new technologies, with a pioneering spirit that has redefined the aerospace industry. Our products bring people closer together, helping them unite and progress. We strive to continually push the boundaries on what is possible to safeguard our world for future generations. View full profile
Expedia Group Media Solutions is dedicated to building innovative media partnerships for travel advertisers enabling them to leverage Expedia Group's network of leading travel brands and global sites. View full profile
Gold Conference Sponsors
Noida International Airport (IATA code – DXN) is an upcoming greenfield airport in North India and 2nd airport in the Delhi-NCR region. The airport will enhance connectivity to and from Delhi NCR, Uttar Pradesh and North India. DXN, a confluence of Swiss efficiency and Indian hospitality, is envisioned to become India’s leading airport in terms of customer-service, outstanding efficiency, digital services and commitment to the minimal environmental impact. View their profile
With headquarters in São José dos Campos, Brazil, and offices in the U.S., France, Australia and now China, Embraer is the fourth largest manufacturer of commercial aircraft in the world, employing more than 9,000 people worldwide. Find out more
Wednesday, 24 September 2025
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Welcome introduction from Routes. Hear what you can expect over the course of the event.
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Powerhouse Panel: State of the Industry
The aviation industry has reached new heights in 2025, with passenger numbers expected to hit 5.2 billion, significantly surpassing pre-pandemic levels. This remarkable recovery demonstrates the industry's resilience and the unwavering global appetite for air travel. While the sector shows strong performance with record-high load factors and improving financial results, it faces a complex landscape of challenges and opportunities.
This panel brings together industry leaders to explore these critical themes and provide insights into navigating the complex aviation landscape of 2025 and beyond. The discussion will focus on strategies for sustainable growth while addressing operational challenges and meeting evolving customer expectations in a dynamic global environment.
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Networking Break
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Fireside Chat: Shaping Airports as Your Next Travel Destinations
Join us for an engaging discussion with top industry figures as they reveal how airports are reinventing themselves, not just as places to catch a flight, but as compelling destinations in their own right. This fireside chat will showcase game-changing solutions to the main challenges airports face today, from meeting the evolving needs of travellers to attracting more connecting passengers.
Hear from our distinguished speakers as they share real-world strategies and fresh perspectives on making airports more competitive and appealing within the regional transit scene. Come and discover the exciting changes airports are making to enhance the passenger experience and set new standards for the future of travel.
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Lunch Break
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Airbus Keynote Address: Platinum Sponsor
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CEO Keynote Interview: TAP Air Portugal
Luís Rodrigues, appointed CEO of TAP Air Portugal in April 2023, is steering Portugal's flag carrier through an impressive transformation period. Under his leadership, the airline has achieved remarkable financial results and expanded its global network, with new routes to Los Angeles and Boston launching in 2025. His strategic focus on operational efficiency and workforce engagement has revitalized the company culture, while the airline's strong commercial performance and network expansion, particularly across the Americas, positions TAP Air Portugal for continued growth.
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Expedia Keynote Address: Platinum Sponsor
Gianluca Armando, APAC Director, Enterprise Business Development, Expedia Group Advertising
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Networking Break
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CEO Keynote Interview: Cebu Pacific
Mike Szucs, CEO of Cebu Pacific, leads one of Asia's most dynamic low-cost carriers through a period of significant expansion. Under his leadership, the airline has achieved remarkable post-pandemic recovery, carrying 24.5 million passengers in 2024. His strategic vision is evident in the recent order for up to 152 A321neo aircraft, positioning Cebu Pacific for substantial growth while advancing its sustainability goals. Szucs' focus on fleet modernization and operational efficiency continues to strengthen the carrier's position as a key player in Asia-Pacific aviation.
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Exhibition Networking
Thursday, 25 September 2025
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Leadership Insights: Shaping Hong Kong's Aviation Future
Join us for an intimate conversation with Fred Lam, one of Asia's most influential aviation leaders.
In this candid fireside chat, Mr. Lam will share his remarkable journey at Hong Kong International Airport, from navigating recent industry challenges to spearheading the airport's ambitious expansion plans.
Discover the vision and strategy behind HKIA's transformation into a leading global aviation hub, as one of the industry's most charismatic leaders offers unique insights into the future of aviation in the Greater Bay Area.
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Networking Break
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How Alliances Are Adapting To A New Era Of Airline Cooperation
As airlines pursue deeper partnerships and joint ventures to drive revenue and market access, alliances must evolve to stay relevant. How are they adapting their value propositions, particularly around commercial alignment, loyalty integration, and digital innovation? Are alliances still the most efficient way to offer global reach — or are they being outpaced by more agile and targeted arrangements?
With recent shifts such as Scandinavian Airlines’ move to SkyTeam and new forms of cross-alliance collaboration emerging, this session will unpack where alliances add unique value—and where they risk being left behind. -
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Lunch Break
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Competing Business Models: LCCs vs. FSCs in Today's Aviation Market
As the aviation industry reaches new heights in 2025, this panel discussion will explore the evolving dynamics between low-cost and full-service carriers, with a special focus on how revolutionary aircraft technology is reshaping route networks and operational strategies.
Industry leaders, including senior executives from Airbus and Embraer, will examine how advances in narrowbody aircraft capabilities are blurring traditional market segments and enabling new business opportunities.
The session explores how the latest generation of long-range narrowbody aircraft is transforming route economics and network planning, while analysing how both LCCs and legacy carriers are leveraging these technological advances to pioneer new markets.
Experts will discuss how the enhanced range and efficiency of modern single-aisle aircraft are enabling point-to-point services on previously unviable routes, creating new opportunities for both business models.
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Route Development Excellence: Industry Collaboration Best Practices
In this panel session, industry leaders will showcase how airports and locations worldwide are working in partnership and pioneering innovative approaches to route development in 2025. As aviation continues to evolve in a dynamic global marketplace, how can airports and locations work together to drive connectivity, economic growth, and sustainable expansion?
Our distinguished panel will share implementable best practices transforming the sector globally. The discussion will highlight data-driven route development strategies, successful airline and location partnership approaches, sustainability integration in network planning, destination marketing synergies, and evolving risk-sharing models between stakeholders.
Join us for this solution-focused conversation that delivers actionable strategies for sustainable and profitable route development in today's competitive aviation landscape.
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Networking Break
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Smoothing Seasonality Effects: Strategies to Boost Off-Peak Visitation and Shoulder Season Growth
Seasonality remains a major challenge for the travel and aviation sectors, with fluctuations in demand creating pressure during off-peak and shoulder seasons. This panel will explore the best strategies for smoothing seasonality effects, focusing on innovative ways to attract travellers during quieter periods.
Airlines and tourism authorities will share successful examples of winter campaigns that have effectively driven demand, while highlighting the importance of partnerships with the events sector to create year-round appeal. Key topics will include targeted marketing efforts, leveraging special events to boost visitation, and how airlines and destinations can collaborate to maintain consistent growth throughout the year.
Join top industry experts as they discuss the future of seasonality management and the creative solutions that can drive passenger numbers during the shoulder seasons.
Friday, 26 September 2025
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Airline Briefing
Exclusive updates direct from key airline decision makers and network planners.
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Airline Briefing
Exclusive updates direct from key airline decision makers and network planners.
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Airline Briefing
Exclusive updates direct from key airline decision makers and network planners.
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Fireside Chat: Looking ahead to the future
Join us as we hear from an airline leader on their thoughts for the future of global aviation.
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A Productive Routes Meeting: Key Insights from Network Planners
What makes a Routes meeting truly productive? Join our expert panel as we explore the decision-making factors and critical metrics that network planners prioritize when evaluating new routes. Discover the challenges and opportunities from a network planner’s perspective and gain valuable insights into the evolving landscape of route development. From balancing demand forecasting to navigating operational constraints, this session will shed light on the key elements that drive successful network planning and the strategies that ensure long-term growth in an increasingly competitive market.
* Please note like all events, the programme is subject to change.
Speakers
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Luís Rodrigues
Chief Executive Officer, TAP Air Portugal -
Gianluca Armando
APAC Director, Enterprise Business Development, Expedia Group Advertising -
Fred Lam
Chairman, Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) -
Jonathan Song
Chief Commercial Officer, Plaza Premium Group -
Ronald Lam
CEO, Cathay Group -
Mike Szücs
CEO, Cebu Pacific