The route development forum for Europe
Bilbao, Basque Country
• 22 – 24 April 2018
Conference Programme
Sunday, 22 April 2018
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Fireside Chat – A life in aviation and the low-cost landscape
Ray Webster, CEO of airline giant easyJet for a decade, oversaw its rise from start-up to its current position as a global leader.
One of the pioneers of the low-cost revolution in aviation, Webster is ideally placed to offer a critical - and honest - evaluation of the current tug-of-war between LCCs and full-service carriers for share in the fast-growing aviation market.
He will share his thoughts on the current state of the market, and how he believes changing consumer behaviour and the redrawing of airline relationships across the continent will drive airlines to respond.
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Airport-Airline Partnerships
European budget airlines are working more closely together with airports than ever before. This includes new ways of helping each other, including connecting flight partnerships, allowing passengers to book a long-haul to short-haul journey with more than one operator. This is a significant entry into the world of interlining that, for cost and logistical reasons, has largely been out of the scope of what budget airlines do.
During the session, we will hear from an airline and an airport that are working together, and how they are achieving benefits not before seen.
Monday, 23 April 2018
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Panel Session – State of the European aviation industry
European capacity grew by 3 percent in 2017 compared with the previous 12 months, according to data from OAG, despite the insolvencies of Monarch and Air Berlin. Of this, low-cost seats accounted for 32 percent, up from 30.4 percent in 2016, emphasising the rising dominance the likes of Ryanair, easyJet and Eurowings in the market.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has forecasted that Europe’s aviation market will also grow at 2.3 percent per year over the next two decades, and will add an additional 550 million passengers by 2036. However, this growth is outstripped by other markets; the UK will fall to the fifth-largest by 2036, surpassed by India in 2025 and Indonesia in 2030. Thailand and Turkey will enter the top ten largest markets, while France and Italy will fall in the rankings to 11th and 12th respectively. What does the future hold for the market?
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CEO Keynote Interview
In a full and frank interview, British Airways’ chairman and chief executive, Alex Cruz, will
outline the airline’s major plans for the next few years, including its network strategy and
how it aims to battle the rise of LCC penetration throughout Europe. He will also explain
what opportunities could be created with a shifting balance of global aviation power to
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Networking break
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Panel Session – Aviation disruptors
Brexit, political instability, security concerns and changing business models are just some of the issues currently affecting the industry. This session will explore the ongoing disruption, covering such key questions as:
How will Brexit impact the aviation industry as Britain seeks to negotiate its exit from the EU? What should governments do to ensure stability in the sector?
How terrorism is affecting tourism growth? How are the new security measures on flights to the US affecting airports, airlines and passengers?
What should airlines do to prepare for such uncertainties in order to mitigate risk?
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Lunch Break
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Exclusive updates direct from key airline decision makers and network planners
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Exclusive updates direct from key airline decision makers and network planners
Tuesday, 24 April 2018
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How to negotiate with airlines?
Learn how to negotiate with airlines and understand the legal framework to improve your network strategy. Expert consultancy ASM will provide this exclusive Masterclass to Routes Europe attendees.
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Networking Break
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Top tips you need to know about destination marketing
How can tourism authorities, airlines and airports work together to make a destination more attractive, at the same time as ensuring the growth is sustainable?
Tourism decentralisation creates more efficient visitor patterns which can lead to more sustainable growth. Learn about the major emerging partnerships trends and how your destination can create a more sustainable tourism industry across the region.
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Closing Remarks
* Please note like all events, the programme is subject to change.
Speakers
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Ray Webster
Independent Aviation & Aerospace Professional & Former CEO, EasyJet -
Nigel Mayes
Senior Vice President, Consulting & Product Development, ASM -
Sergio Fernandez
Regional Director Airports, Passenger, Cargo and Security, Europe, International Air Transport Association (IATA) -
Montserrat Barriga
European Regions Airline Association (ERA), Director General -
Alex Cruz
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, British Airways -
Wilken Bellmann
Head of Network Planning and Scheduling, SunExpress