Key Airline Planners At World Routes From Across The Globe

The 16th World Route Development Forum will see over 250 airlines represented with 450 airline delegates from across the globe. The Hub lists the carriers and some of the key airline personnel that will be present.

The low-cost sector will be strongly represented, with Canada's leading low-cost carrier, Wesjet represented by John Macleod, Vice President of Network and Strategy. This news should be of interest to the markets in the Caribbean as WestJet's international flights now represent 15% of its total network. In Europe, the Managing Director of Jet2.com, Ian Doubtfire will be present. oneworld's latest member Air Berlin will be able to outline their strategy and how its network will be affected by its joining of the oneworld alliance; Senior Vice President of Strategy, Stephan Nagel will be one of two Air Berlin delegates, whilst Europe's second largest low-cost carrier easyJet will be looking for new opportunities from its 19 bases represented by Catherine Lynn, Network and Planning Director, whilst Procurement Director, Warwick Brady will join the easyJet delegation. The world's largest LCC, Southwest Airlines will be led by lead delegate Lee Lipton, Director Network Strategic Planning.

With airline consolidation one of the major themes of 2010 we have a good attendance from the large Full Service Carriers involved in the large mergers who will be able update on their teams and the impact on their respective networks.

Robert Boyle, Director Strategy and Business Units of British Airways with Iberia represented by Juan Alberto Martin Mora (long haul) and Gonzalo Tello Alonso (Short Haul). Whilst the world's largest airline merger of United Airlines and Continental Airlines will see United represented by Andrew Buchanan, Manager International Planning and Brian Znotins, Director International Planning of CO in attendance.

From Africa, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, Mr Girma Wake, who is also President of African Airlines association (AFRAA) is attending the GASS conference and will be on hand to discuss the Star Alliance members network and possible further developments within Africa to follow ASKY, the carrier set up in Lome, Tongo, but owned by Ethiopian.

We have a strong representation from the Chinese airlines for example, SkyTeam operator China Southern represented by Vice President Mr De Zhi Zhang, Vice President and Taipei based, China Airlines' Assistant Vice President Corporate Development, Jeremy Chang.

Of much interest to tourism destinations will be the presence of Thomas Cook owned Condor Airlines, one of the largest charter operators in the world will be represented by their Head of Planning, Eric Oberhuber

With cargo on the rebound, we have more cargo airline delegates than ever before, with many key carriers having their cargo Director ttending. Emirates Airlines Senior Vice President of Cargo Ram Menon will take meetings for the Dubai based operators freight division.

Worldwide airline alliances are well represented, particularly the Star Alliance where Horst Findeisen, Vice President of Business Development will be present with oneworld Commercial Director, Michael Blunt in attendance.

Full Airline Attendee List: (as of 16.09.2010)