Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), the managing body and operator of Bahrain International Airport (BIA), is gearing up to host the first edition of Routes Middle East and Africa 2015 (Routes MEA 2015) in the kingdom this month.

The inaugural Routes MEA will be held at the Gulf International Convention Centre from May 31 to June 2 and will be attended by over 350 visiting delegates from across the Middle East and African’ aviation industry representing airlines, airports, tourism authorities and related bodies.

Routes MEA will provide an ideal knowledge-sharing platform for aviation professionals via exposure to constructive panel discussions, debates and presentations on upcoming trends, aviation challenges and developments across the Middle East and Africa.

An exclusive list of high-profile industry experts and thought leaders, including the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications and Bahrain Airport Company’s chief executive officer, has been lined up to shed light on vital topics impacting aviation advancement in the region during a one-day Strategy Summit.

This select group of specialists has helped shape the industry in the Middle East and Africa, and will focus their discussions on route development strategies and opportunities, open skies policies and protocols, the pressing need for better information exchange and regulatory reforms, the impact of European legislation on Middle East carriers, airport congestion and building airports for the future, and market liberalization across Africa to fuel tourism growth.

“Routes events are considered to be one of the most significant global gatherings for the aviation industry and attract senior representatives seeking to benefit from the interactive sessions and valuable information exchange,” said Mohamed Khalil, chief commercial officer of BAC.

“This is the first year that a Routes event will be held for the Middle East and Africa Regions jointly and taking into consideration the tremendous growth potential this region holds for the aviation and tourism industry, we are confident that it will be a great success.

“The region has become very important from an aviation perspective and represents nearly 11 per cent of global aviation – about double its share from a decade ago. International industry forums such as Routes events provide an invaluable source of information to help this region stay ahead of the game.

“We are proud to be hosting this prestigious inaugural event in Bahrain; it offers a remarkable opportunity to affirm Bahrain’s role as a leading regional hub and reiterates our deep-rooted aviation heritage. We look forward to welcoming the visiting delegates and showing them the unparalleled warmth and hospitality that defines us, both as host and as a nation,” he added.

“We are delighted to be holding the inaugural Routes Middle East and Africa in Bahrain,” said Katie Bland, director Routes for UBM EMEA.

“This event will bring the wider aviation community to the Kingdom of Bahrain providing our Hosts with the ideal opportunity to showcase their destination, and reaffirm their status as an aviation hub for the region. We’re looking forward to working with the team from Bahrain Airport Company our host for our very first Routes event dedicated to air service development to, from and within the Middle East and Africa,” he added.

Routes MEA will become part of the global Routes portfolio organised by UBM EMEA, which includes World Routes; Routes Asia; Routes Europe; Routes Americas; Routes Silk Road; Routes Africa and Routesonline. – TradeArabia News Service