MIA Representatives Participated in Routes Asia 2024 at Malaysia

The Route Development Forum for Asia (Routes Asia 2024) was held from 27th to 29th February 2024 in Malaysia. Routes Asia is one of the largest route development forum in the industry, bringing together with the largest range of civil aviation representatives from more than 260 different organizations in Southeast Asia and the world, with over 1,500 aviation professionals from airlines, airports, tourism authorities and service providers attended the event for joint cooperation opportunities.

As of February 2024, Macau International Airport (MIA) operates 213 round-trip flights per week to 18 cities in Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia which has returned to about 40% of the pre-pandemic level. The overall passenger volume exceeded 600 thousands for the first time after the pandemic.

The three-day event provided valuable opportunity for representatives of MIA connecting with aviation industry peers around the world while establishing contacts and seeking new opportunities for co-operation. MIA also made use of this opportunity to promote Macau and introduce MIA to the industry through one-on-one meetings, as well as to establish new or expand existing business contacts with target airlines and airports. During the meeting, a number of international airlines expressed their interest to the Macau market and in opening up routes services. Amongst the Really Cool Airlines of Thailand will join Macau market to operate routes between Thailand and Macau using a wide-body Airbus and AirAsia Cambodia has confirmed operating the Phnom Penh-Macau route.

In-depth exchanges were also held with the General Agents of Nepalese and Sri Lankan Airlines during the meeting, who are interested in the Macau market and hope to develop charter flights to and from Macau in the fourth quarter of 2024. In addition, airport representatives discussed with a number of airlines on the development of international markets and medium and long-haul routes services. In which, Turkish Airlines has also expressed its interest in the Macau market and its willingness to co-operate with other airlines to develop the market. Through participating in this forum, it is hoped that MIA could develop the market jointly with the airlines and provide more travel options for the passengers.

Mr. Eric Fong, Director of Marketing Department (MKD) of Macau International Airport Company Limited (CAM) and Mr. Edman Lee, Deputy Director of MKD represented to join the forum.