As of June 3, 2022, 550 delegates from 194 organisations, including 81 airlines, 79 airports, 11 destinations and 23 aviation service providers, had registered to join the Asian Route Development Forum (Routes Asia 2022). 75-80% of them came from Asia, whilst the rest were from the Americas, Europe and Middle East countries.

Delegates to Routes Asia 2022 were welcomed at Da Nang International Airport on Friday afternoon. Photo: XUAN SON

Taking place from June 4 - 9 in Da Nang, Routes Asia 2022 brings together decision makers from airlines, airports, destinations and industry suppliers to outline the actions that must be taken to accelerate the region’s recovery.

The ongoing event is welcoming presidents, vice presidents and heads of air route network planning from more than 80 of the region’s leading carriers. A host of meetings will take place during the event between stakeholders, including airlines, airports and destinations.

Discussions will focus on how these stakeholders can work together to restore route networks to create long-term economic benefits for the Asia-Pacific region.

Meanwhile, themes to be explored at the event will include the impact of COVID-19 on consumer behaviour and travel trends and the most effective strategies for rebuilding demand.

Notably, representatives from more than 20 of China's leading carriers will participate in virtual meetings due to current travel restrictions.

The event will also bring together over 25 speakers from trade associations, airline board of directors, airports and government ministries to deliver more than 15 hours of actionable insight for delegates in three days (from June 6 - 8).

Although pandemic-related travel restrictions have inevitably curtailed growth, the outlook for air traffic in the region remains strong. This gave authorities in Da Nang the confidence to push ahead with a series of airport infrastructure investments designed to increase capacity to 28 million passengers and 200,000 tons of cargo per year by 2030.

By hosting this year’s edition of Routes Asia, the city is seeking to reactivate its tourism industry and position the seaport city as a hub for entrepreneurship, innovation, logistics, finance and culture in the coming decade.

Mr. Tran Phuoc Son, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee cum Head of Routes Asia 2022’s Organising Board, remarked “Da Nang has become the first city of Viet Nam to host the Asia Route Development Forum 2022. From this event, Da Nang will promote its image to international delegates as a leading festival and event destination in Asia and a dynamic aviation and tourism centre in Viet Nam and the region. We are now ready for welcoming the Routes Asia to Da Nang.”

“We are proud that we have been able to bring together so many members of the community, despite ongoing travel restrictions still being in place. Routes also applies digital solutions into our event to serve those industry partners who have been unable to attend in person. And we will continue to do everything we can, as a business, to support this region in its ongoing recovery” said Mr. Steven Small, director of Informa Routes.

Reporting by THU HA - Translating by M.DUNG