Airport bosses head to Durban for 2015 World Route Development event

Senior Management from Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) travel to Durban in South Africa this weekend ahead of The 21st World Route Development Forum.

Often described as ‘speed dating’ for airports and airlines, the event which brings together 250 airlines, 650 airports and around 2,500 delegates, is an annual global gathering and is seen as the meeting place for the world’s airport/airline route development industry.

The event is viewed as one of the most cost effective ways to build relationships with airlines from all over the world and to promote the Airport and the City Region to the aviation industry.

The team from LJLA will also be joined by Director of Marketing Liverpool, Chris Brown who will also attend to help showcase the Liverpool City Region and the close partnership with the Airport.

LJLA has been successful at generating new business as a direct consequence of attending this and its European equivalent event in the past. With 20 meetings already confirmed with airlines from Europe and further afield, the team from the Airport hope that talks held during the four day event will lead to further new business opportunities, building on the Airport’s recent success.

Over the past 12 months Liverpool John Lennon Airport has secured flights from 5 new airlines, announced 11 new services to 7 new destinations, bringing over 90 additional flights per week.

Mark Povall, Director of Air Service Development commented, “This is always an important event for us, but what’s interesting is that many airlines are just as interested to talk to us as we are to talk to them and a real sign of the progress we have been making here in recent months.

“It’s also an excellent way to let airlines know about all of the exciting opportunities and developments taking place in the Liverpool City Region.”

Chris Brown, director of Marketing Liverpool, said, “As the city’s visitor and investment offer continues to grow it is important that we convey this message in conjunction with LJLA to airlines who are seeking to develop new routes. Following a successful European Routes event in Aberdeen, the opportunity to take our message to World Routes provides another excellent platform and opportunity for us”.