The fifth annual Airline Business Network route-planning event promises to bring together more airlines and airports than ever before to do business in the Americas. After the success of last year's Network, which saw record-breaking numbers of airline planners and airport route developers, the event is staying in Florida but moving from Sarasota to be hosted by Orlando International Airport at Disney's Contemporary Resort.The event, which is entirely free to airline planners, attracted 200 delegates in 2004.
Network starts with a high-level conference examining the outlook for the region's airline market, as well as a view of the long-haul and leisure business. There is a particular focus on transatlantic operations, with American, Continental and Delta all planning to launch new routes in the coming year.
The heart of the event is the formal face-to-face meetings at which airport marketers have the chance to discuss new route opportunities with a host of airline network planners. A series of new airports will be at Network, including Pittsburgh and New Orleans, while Gary Chicago International is also making its first appearance. Dallas/Ft Worth is returning after a year's break.
A whole series of new routes have been launched as a result of direct contacts made at Network. For instance, JetBlue Airways first made contact with Santo Domingo airport at the event two years ago and announced that it would be flying to that airport from New York during Network 2004. At Network 2003, AirTran Airways revealed that it would operate to Las Vegas from Atlanta.
No doubt further new routes will arise from contacts made at Network 2005. The event will provide access to key decision makers from among the US and European majors, the fast-growing low-fare players and regional operators, as well as planners from Latin America and beyond.
But the event is more than simply a series of meetings. It has an extensive social programme that allows plenty of time for informal networking opportunities in the famously relaxed setting of Florida's Disneyworld.
Contact Claire Fairfax
Tel +44 208 652 4996
e-mail claire.fairfax@rbi.co.uk
website www.networkusa.info
Source: Airline Business
