Taking place this week (18-20 May), Routes Europe will bring together airline CEOs, association and airport leaders to outline the actions that must be taken to accelerate the aviation industry’s move towards its goal of a zero-carbon future.

Themes that will be explored at the event include initiatives that are leading the decarbonisation of the sector; how tourism authorities can encourage sustainable tourism; and the role future technology will play. High-profile speakers include:

• Anko Van der Werff, President and CEO, SAS
• Thomas Haagensen, Group Markets and Marketing Director, easyJet
• Geir Karlsen, Chief Executive Officer, Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA
• Stein Nilsen, CEO, Widerøe
• Morgan Foulkes, Deputy Director General, ACI Europe 
• Thomas Reynaert, Managing Director, Airlines for Europe (A4E)
• Rafael Schvartzman, Regional Vice President, Europe, IATA
• Tonje Wikstrøm Frislid, Chief Executive Officer, Flyr
• Bjørn Tore Larsen, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Norse Atlantic Airways
• Aage Dünhaupt, Director Communications Airlines, Hotels and Cruises, TUI Group

The 15th edition of Routes Europe will also welcome VPs and Heads of Network Planning from more than 90 of the region’s leading carriers. Over 5,000 meetings will take place at the event between these airline stakeholders, airports and destinations.

Discussions will focus on how these stakeholders can work together to develop route networks that create long-term economic benefits and environmental sustainability. Airline decision makers attending the event include:

• Director of Network Planning, Aer Lingus
• SVP Network, airBaltic
• General Manager Commercial & Strategy, Air Serbia
• Head of Market Planning, Austrian Airlines
• Director Network Planning & Scheduling, Finnair
• Category Lead, International Airlines Group
• Head of Planning, Jet2.com
• Director, Airport Affairs, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
• Director Network Planning & Scheduling, LOT Polish Airlines
• VP Network, SAS Scandinavian Airlines
• Head of Network Planning and Scheduling, SunExpress
• Senior Manager, Airport Economics, Swiss International Air Lines
• Director Network & Strategy, Transavia
• Head of Aviation Development, TUI Airline
• Director, Production Planning, Turkish Airlines
• Network Planning Director, Volotea
• Director of International Markets Development, Vueling
• Head of Airport Development, Wizz Air

Host of this year’s edition of the event, Norwegian airport operator Avinor, has taken a leading role in reducing aviation emissions and introducing sustainable aviation fuel. In 2016, Oslo Airport became the first international hub with sustainable aviation fuel commercially available to all airlines. In 2017, Oslo Airport’s Terminal 2 became the world’s first airport to receive an ´Excellent` BREEAM sustainability rating.

Avinor is also a driving force behind the planned introduction of electric aircraft routes in Norway, with a vision for all domestic Norwegian air traffic to powered by electric energy by 2040.

Abraham Foss, CEO of Avinor said: “Avinor is in an unique position to put environmental issues and sustainability on the agenda. We have high ambitions, and aspire to make Norway the first country where electric aircraft account for a significant share of market. But this is impossible alone. Our role is to operate and supply world class infrastructure. We need to work together as a joint industry. Routes in Bergen is a perfect arena to explore, discuss and work together.”

Steven Small, director of Routes, said: “As an organisation, Avinor is a driving force for environmental issues in European aviation and, as a result, the perfect host for this year’s event. As the aviation industry rebuilds following the coronavirus pandemic, we are focusing on delivering events that will support the sustainable growth of air travel.”

Source : ROUTES