The 16^th edition of Asian Route Development Forum (Routes Asia 2022) officially opened in Da Nang on Monday morning. This brought together more than 500 delegates who were representatives of more than 200 airlines, airports and aviation service providers from 42 countries and territories around the world.

Deputy Secretary of the Da Nang Party Committee cum Chairman of the municipal People's Council Luong Nguyen Minh Triet (fifth, right), Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Le Trung Chinh (sixth, left), Vice Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Tran Phuoc Son (fourth, left) and some delegates cutting the ribbon to open the Routes Asia 2022. Photo: THU HA

In attendance at the event were Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Viet Nam Dinh Viet Thang, General Director of the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism Nguyen Trung Khanh, Deputy Secretary of the Da Nang Party Committee cum Chairman of the municipal People's Council Luong Nguyen Minh Triet, and Deputy Secretary of the Da Nang Party Committee cum Chairman of the local People's Committee Le Trung Chinh, and Vice Chairman of the local People's Committee Tran Phuoc Son.

Routes Asia is the only international investment promotion event in Asia’s aviation industry that has been held for the first time in Da Nang, Viet Nam. It brings together policymakers from the world’s leading airlines, airports, destinations and aviation industry suppliers.

The event aims to realise the action plan and accelerate the Asia-Pacific region's recovery from COVID-19.

Some of Da Nang's leaders visiting the city's exhibition booth at the event. Photo: THU HA

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the forum, Chairman Chinh remarked that Routes Asia 2022 was being held in a very special context when Viet Nam has just opened the international sky and welcomed the first international flights back after a two-year hiatus triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hosting the most prestigious aviation development forum in the region not only positions Da Nang as a destination for events, but also demonstrates the city's strong determination to revive its aviation network and tourism economy.

“We set a goal for two years, starting from 2022, to restore aviation to the way it was before COVID-19, with a focus on connecting Da Nang with important aviation hubs, and far tourism markets such as America, Europe and the Middle East. Moreover, continuous efforts will be made to promote the opening of new air routes to potential markets in India and Southeast Asia. We hope that, as the host of Routes Asia, Da Nang will provide a comfortable and efficient environment for business exchanges and connections between aviation and tourism partners” emphasised Chairman Chinh.

As the unit in charge of the organisation of Routes Asia 2022, Mr. Steven Small, Brand Director of Informa Routes said "We are proud to be the organiser of Routes Asia, bringing together a large number of members of the Asia-Pacific aviation and tourism community in Da Nang to discuss solutions to restore the route network and create long-term economic benefits for the region. By hosting the event, Da Nang has demonstrated its role as a friendly, hospitable and professional host, contributing to positioning the city as a hub for business, investment, logistics, finance and culture in the future”.

Immediately after the opening ceremony, participating delegates together discussed ways to rebuild regional air connectivity. Included were support policies for airline route network, solutions to accelerate the aviation industry's recovery, the impact of COVID-19 on consumer behavior and travel trends, and the most effective strategies for rebuilding market demand.

Reporting by THU HA - Translating by M.DUNG