Welcome introduction from Routes. Hear what you can expect over the course of the event.
Routes Asia 2026
Xi'an, China
• 14 – 16 April 2026
Conference Programme
The Routes Asia conference programme will bring together senior leaders from the air service development and aviation industries.
Comprising keynote interviews, panel discussions, airline briefings and best practice workshops, the Routes Asia 2026 conference programme will provide you with exclusive insight into the key air service development issues driving change within the industry, exploring the future of air service development in the region.
Platinum Conference Sponsor
Platinum Conference Sponsor
Tuesday, 14 April 2026
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Opening Remarks
Hear more about why Routes Asia 2026 is taking place in Xi'an, China
*By invitation only
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Xi'an Aviation-Tourism Integration and Investment Cooperation Development Forum
*By invitation only
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Keynote Address: Boeing Commercial Airplanes, The Boeing Company
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State of the Airport Industry
Stefano Baronci, Director General, Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific & Middle East
Passenger traffic across Asia-Pacific is forecast to grow 4.8% annually between 2025 and 2028, driven by resilient economies, renewed international demand, and record levels of airport investment.
India and Vietnam are leading the region’s momentum, with Southern Asia already surpassing pre-pandemic passenger volumes, while Eastern Asia’s recovery is accelerating on the back of China’s outbound rebound. Despite ongoing aircraft delivery delays and geopolitical uncertainties, most markets are expected to exceed pre-COVID levels by 2026.
This session will highlight key trends, including infrastructure investment, sustainability efforts, and evolving passenger expectations, positioning the region as a global aviation leader.
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Networking Lunch
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Keynote Interview: Spring Airlines
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Fireside Chat
How to Start an Airline in Asia-Pacific
The Asia-Pacific region offers immense opportunities for new airline ventures, fueled by its rapid aviation growth and expanding market potential. In this intimate fireside chat, Megat Ardian, CEO of AirBorneo, will share his firsthand experiences and insights into launching and growing an airline in this dynamic region.
The conversation will delve into key aspects of building a successful airline, including navigating regulatory approvals, securing funding, identifying market opportunities, and developing a sustainable business model. Megat will also address challenges such as infrastructure limitations, competition, and operational complexities, offering practical strategies to overcome these hurdles.
Attendees will gain exclusive insights and actionable advice from one of the region’s leading aviation innovators, leaving equipped with the knowledge to embark on their own airline ventures in the Asia-Pacific market.
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Navigating Disruption: Adapting to Geopolitics
From the war in Iran to ongoing airspace restrictions over Russia, geopolitical disruption continues to reshape global aviation flows. The closure of key Middle East corridors and the suspension or reduction of services by Gulf carriers have removed critical one-stop connectivity between East and West, forcing airlines to rapidly rethink network strategies. This session will explore how airlines and airports are responding in real time—rerouting traffic via longer northern and southern corridors, shifting connecting flows to alternative hubs such as Istanbul and Southeast Asia, and adapting schedules amid heightened operational risk. It will also examine the impact of volatile fuel prices, airspace complexity and shifting passenger confidence on capacity planning and route viability.
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Networking Break
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From Incentives to Impact: Building Effective Route Partnerships
Effective partnerships between airlines, airports and tourism bodies are fundamental to successful route development. This panel brings together industry leaders to discuss how collaboration can translate into sustainable growth, not just short-term gains.
Speakers will explore current best practice, including data-led decision-making, joint marketing activity and incentive models that genuinely support long-term routes. The discussion will also look beyond the traditional airline-airport-destination relationship, considering the influence of governments, investors and other stakeholders in shaping viable route opportunities.
Wednesday, 15 April 2026
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Aviation Hub Layout & Development
*By invitation only
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Next-Generation Aircraft: Redefining Route Economics
Advances in aircraft technology are reshaping the economics of route development. New-generation narrowbodies, including longer-range and more fuel-efficient variants, are enabling airlines to open routes that were previously unviable—linking secondary cities, bypassing traditional hubs and supporting more point-to-point connectivity across Asia and beyond. This session will explore how airlines are deploying these aircraft to unlock new markets, increase frequency on thinner routes and respond more flexibly to shifting demand. It will also examine how airports and destinations can position themselves to capture these opportunities.
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Fireside Chat
VietJet's Vision for Growth and Fleet Expansion
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Networking Lunch
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Shaping the Future of Route Development in Asia-Pacific
As Asia-Pacific moves beyond recovery, the focus is shifting from rebuilding networks to making sharper, more strategic choices about where—and how—to grow.
This session will examine how airlines are prioritising capacity across the region, from high-growth markets such as India and Southeast Asia to the more measured recovery in North Asia. Rather than chasing scale, carriers are increasingly focused on yield, resilience and network optimisation—resulting in more selective route launches and a greater emphasis on sustainable performance.
The panel will explore where airlines see the strongest opportunities over the next five years, how they are balancing risk and return, and what this means for airports competing for capacity. It will also consider how evolving demand patterns, competitive dynamics and structural constraints are reshaping the region’s connectivity map.
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Dual-Airport Cities Redefine India’s Connectivity
As India’s aviation market continues its rapid expansion, dual-airport systems are becoming key to managing capacity and supporting future growth. With New Delhi leading the way through the development of Noida International Airport—and Mumbai advancing with Navi Mumbai International Airport—India is at the forefront of this shift. This panel will explore how dual-airport strategies can unlock new route opportunities, balance domestic and international demand, and support India’s ambition to become one of the world’s leading aviation markets.
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Spotlight On China: Airlines, Airports And Policy
China is once again a central force in global aviation, with long-term growth projections pointing to one of the world’s largest and fastest-evolving air travel markets. This session will explore how Chinese and international airlines are responding to a complex operating environment defined by geopolitics, airspace constraints, fleet availability and shifting demand patterns.
With China forecast to require thousands of new aircraft over the next two decades—driven largely by domestic and regional growth—the discussion will examine how capacity is being deployed and where the next opportunities lie.
The panel will also assess China’s airport development strategy, including the “3+7+N” framework, which is reshaping the country’s connectivity model by strengthening major global gateways while accelerating the rise of regional hubs and secondary cities.
In addition, speakers will consider the role of policy—from visa facilitation to transit schemes and inbound tourism initiatives—and whether recent liberalisation measures are translating into meaningful international traffic growth.
Thursday, 16 April 2026
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Airport Economy & Aviation Industry
*By invitation only
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Exclusive updates direct from key airline decision makers and network planners.
* Please note like all events, the programme is subject to change.
Speakers
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Stefano Baronci
Director General, Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific & Middle East -
Arnaud Maheu
Director Fleet and Network Planning, Airbus -
Chen Chuanren
Southeast Asia and China Editor, Air Transport World -
Jeremy Pennington
Chief Commercial Officer, Oman Airports -
Majid Khan
Chief Executive Officer, Saudi Air Connectivity Program -
Simon Nathan
Commercial Strategy and Route Development Lead, Copenhagen Airports