Asia’s Biggest Airlines to Discuss New Route Opportunities in Brisbane

Asia Pacific’s aviation industry leaders will gather in Brisbane this weekend (18-20 March) at the 16th annual Routes Asia to plan and negotiate new air services within the region.
 
The event will bring together 950 delegates taking part in 2,350 meetings, with a diverse range of airline representatives from full service to regional low cost carriers travelling from all corners of the globe to take part in the event. Carriers in attendance include Qantas, China Southern Airlines, Norwegian, Korean Air, British Airways, Air China, IndiGo, and American Airlines. Around 96 airlines, 146 airports and 23 tourism authorities are expected in total.
 
Routes Asia brings together airlines, airports and tourism authorities to develop air route networks. It moves to a new city every year to highlight the diverse aviation markets within Asia. The 2018 event is hosted by Brisbane Airport Corporation, Brisbane Marketing, Tourism Australia and Tourism Events Queensland at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
 
Industry experts will explore the major challenges and opportunities for Asia Pacific’s aviation sector in a series of conference sessions, including: how the region can deal with overcapacity, whether low-cost carriers can continue their phenomenal growth, safety and security concerns and protectionist barriers.
 
High-profile speakers include: Gareth Evans, Chief Executive Officer, Jetstar Group; Rob Sharp, Group Executive, Virgin Australia Airlines; Nadda Buranasiri, Chief Executive Officer, Thai AirAsia X Co Ltd and Conrad Clifford, Regional Vice President for Asia Pacific, IATA and Annastacia Palaszczuk, Premier of Queensland.
 
As the gateway to Queensland, Brisbane Airport is Australia’s third-largest hub and recorded decade-high growth in international traffic in 2017, with many international carriers increasing the frequency of their services to accommodate the demand.

Brisbane Airport is Australia’s most domestically connected hub; in 2020 the airport’s new runway will open, effectively doubling the city’s aviation capacity and positioning Brisbane as the future major gateway to Australia.
 
Brisbane is currently on the cusp of an exciting new era with landmark investments such as Star Entertainment Group’s Queen’s Wharf, the Howard Smith Wharves development, the Port of Brisbane’s new Cruise Terminal, Mount Coot-tha enhancements and developments across city precincts set to attract international visitors from all corners of the globe.
 
“This is the perfect time for Brisbane to host Routes Asia and showcase the major investments taking place at the airport and across the city,” said Steven Small, Brand Director of Routes.
 
Continuing, he stated: “The event will deliver significant opportunities for new business development and help the airport and city to achieve its target of doubling jobs, and passenger numbers.”
 
Julieanne Alroe, Brisbane Airport Corporation CEO and Managing Director, said, “It is a truly exciting time for Brisbane filled with much opportunity and we look forward to showcasing the best our city has to offer to delegates attending Routes Asia, building new partnerships, sharing valuable ideas and, last but not least, planning the future of our city, state and industry.”
 
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said it was a privilege to host Routes Asia in Brisbane this year and an opportunity to leverage the record number of Asian travellers visiting Queensland, predicted to skyrocket over the next 25 years.
 
“Brisbane is the perfect destination to host this conference and we look forward to welcoming aviation industry leaders from around the world to Brisbane and continue working collaboratively to ensure we have direct flight routes and tourism infrastructure in place to meet the needs of key Asian markets,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
 
"We know Queensland is Asia’s main gateway to Australia and our goal is to become the nation’s leading destination for Asian travellers.”
 
Minister for Tourism Industry Development Kate Jones said attracting more visitors and business delegations from Asia was an important part of the strategy to strengthen Queensland’s tourism industry.
 
“We know strengthening our relationships with airlines in key tourism markets and improving access to our great destinations are pivotal parts of ensuring our tourism industry grows,” she said.
 
“In the last term of government we secured around 740,000 additional seats worth in direct flights to Queensland – this was worth around $570 million for our economy each year.
 
“We want to continue on this great foundation in the next three years. That’s why we’re investing millions of dollars in attracting more direct flights to Queensland.
 
“This event brings together some of the world’s most important figures in global tourism and puts them together in the one room. To have this event in Queensland is a great opportunity for our tourism industry.”
 
“I’m proud that the Queensland Government via Tourism and Events Queensland along with Destination Gold Coast and Business Events Australia have worked together to secure this event for our great state.”