Largest Regional Route Development Event Ever Opens in Budapest

Budapest, Hungary (ots/PRNewswire) -

Nearly 1,100 aviation industry decision makers have gathered in
Budapest for the opening of the eighth Routes Europe, the largest
regional route development event ever to take place. Over 4,000
face-to-face meetings are scheduled for today and tomorrow for the
delegates representing 115 leading airlines, 350 airports and 50
tourism authorities.

The event which is attended by representatives from almost 70
countries is hosted by Budapest Airport, supported by Hungarian
Tourism, at the SYMA Conference Venue, Hungary's newest and most
modern, state-of-the-art multifunctional facility.

Speaking at the opening press conference in Budapest today, David
Stroud, Executive Vice President Routes at UBM Live, said: "With a
60% plus growth in airline delegate numbers since last year's event
in Tallinn, Routes Europe 2013 is set to become a milestone for the
development of the region's air services. Despite all the
difficulties Budapest Airport faced after the demise of the national
carrier, they are one of the leading lights in Europe. I am sure that
all the delegates will become ambassadors for this fantastic city and
its airport."

Jost Lammers, CEO of Budapest Airport, was optimistic about the
airport's future: "2012 was extremely difficult with the collapse of
our national carrier, but it was an amazing achievement to carry 8.5m
passengers here last year, a mere 5% drop." Mr Lammers, who expects
passenger numbers to be flat this year, went on to announce an
innovative incentive scheme for thin routes. The incentives will be
available to airlines which routes that are not yet served from
Budapest with a frequency of two to four flights a week.

On the eve of Routes Europe, it already was announced that
Bulgaria Air, the national carrier of the Republic of Bulgaria, will
commence new direct scheduled services between Sofia and Budapest
from 24th June. The new flights will operate four times weekly.

Following the opening press conference, Tomislav Lang, CEO of
SkyWork, briefed the media on the recent management buy-out at the
Bern-based airline. Following its recent restructuring, the airline
is now determined to break even next year. Lang explained that the
SkyWork just signed an interlining agreement with KLM, and that it
plans to announce a second base this summer, indicating that this
base is likely to be in Germany.

Already yesterday some of the most salient topics in European
aviation were discussed at the Routes Europe Strategy Summit. More
than a dozen high-profile speakers, including Wizz Air CEO, Jozsef
Varadi and Mr Yiorgos Lakkotrypis, Minister of Commerce, Industry &
Tourism, Cyprus about the future plans for the country. Other topics
discussed included from Europe and beyond shed light on the "Big
Freeze" concerning EU ETS, life after legacy carriers and on the
question whether we will see fewer airlines in Europe any time soon.
Key quotes from the Strategy Summit can be found here [http://www.ro
utesonline.com/news/29/breaking-news/198823/routes-europe-inside-the-
strategy-summit-the-key-discussion-points ]

Next year, Routes Europe will take place in Marseille, France.
Already this year, Routes Europe has attracted more French airports
than any other route development event.

Notes to Editors

About Routes

- Routes organises world-renowned airline and airport networking events
through its regional and global Route Development Forums. Each year, there is one
global event and one regional event in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas and CIS
respectively. http://www.routesonline.com
- Routes was founded in 1995 as part of the Manchester UK-based ASM Ltd., a
consultancy specialising in the field of route development for airports.
http://www.asm-global.com [http://www.asm%E2%80%90global.com ]
- Routes and ASM were acquired by UBM Aviation Worldwide Ltd in August 2010.
From 1st August 2012 Routes, ASM and the Airport Cities Conference and Exhibition
become part of the UBM Live division of UBM plc.
- UBM Live connects people and creates opportunities for companies across five
continents to develop new business, meet customers, launch new products, promote
their brands and expand their markets. Through premiere brands such as MD&M, CPhI,
IFSEC, TFM&A, Cruise Shipping Miami, the Concrete Show, the Routes portfolio of
events, Airport Cities and many others, UBM Live exhibitions, conferences, awards
programs, publications, websites and training and certification programs are an
integral part of the marketing plans of companies across more than 20 industry
sectors. http://www.ubmlive.com

Follow us on twitter: @Routesonline, @TheHUBRoutes,
@VictoriaRoutes, @airlineroute, @NLPROU

ots Originaltext: UBM Live Routes Ltd
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
For further press information please contact: Victoria Jones, PR
Executive, UBM Aviation Routes Limited, T: +44(0)161-234-2730, E:
pr@routesonline.com