24.04.2008
Talks with Asian airlines
Fourteen airlines showed an interest in the route development potential at Copenhagen Airport during the Routes Regional Asia that was held recently in Macau, China.
CPH attended the Routes Regional Asia conference in Macau, China on 13 to 15 April. At the conference, representatives and airlines met to discuss the potential for starting up new routes or expanding existing capacity.
More participants than ever before
Routes Regional Asia was established in 2003 as a regional networking forum. The number of participants has increased steadily ever since, and approximately 400 delegates from all over the world attended the recent conference in Macau.
“Routes Asia used to be a small offspring of the international Routes forum. We have never before had so many delegates, and the conference is now developing from a regional into a global forum. Several large European airports were represented, which is a clear sign of the intensified competition among the airports. The Asian market is the fastest growing market in the world, and many European airports therefore see a potential in Asia,” said Ole Wieth Christensen, Route Development Manager at Copenhagen Airports A/S.
Strong competition
The growing number of participants at the Routes conferences is a clear indication of the intensified competition among the airports. But other factors such as public-sector financial support also make the market more competitive and make it even more difficult to attract more traffic growth.
“A few other competitors benefit from the establishment of public-sector route development funds set up to help make the potential routes more attractive to airlines. What helps make Copenhagen Airport competitive and attractive to airlines is whether we can offer the airlines a potential market and a low cost level,” explained Wieth Christensen.
Talks and partnership
Copenhagen Airport and airline representatives had planned a tight meeting schedule already before the Routes Asia conference began. Copenhagen Airport participated in 14 meetings during which the airport’s route developers submitted specific proposals for new routes and for optimising existing ones to the individual airlines. Based on specific market surveys and knowledge about the Scandinavian market, customers are invited to participate in a dialogue in order to create the best conditions for increased growth.
“Route development is a long-term investment and, during the process, we use surveys, talks and partnership with the airlines to draw attention to the route development potential at Copenhagen and build up a good relationship with potential customers. We expect to see specific results of our activities in the course of the coming year. We focus on overseas routes as they help maintain our position as the hub of Scandinavia, and Asia is one of our specific focus areas,” said Wieth Christensen.
In 2007, there were 2,500 delegates at the annual Routes forum. The Routes 2008 forum will be held in October in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Copenhagen Airport expects to participate in about 40 meetings.
Ulv Elbirk, CPH's Route Development Manager for Asia, talking to the Route Development Manager of Philippine Airlines. Ulv is presenting the potential for a direct route between Copenhagen and Manila.