Air France CEO to Open Routes Europe Strategy Summit

One of the highlights of this year’s Routes Europe Strategy Summit will be the keynote address from Frédéric Gagey Chairman & CEO of Air France.

The Summit, which is sponsored by Edmonton International Airport, will provide a valuable insight into aviation across the region, as panels of leading industry experts take part in a number of moderator led discussions addressing key air service development issues.

Mr. Gagey said, “The Routes Europe Strategy Summit offers a unique opportunity to promote dialogue between airlines, airports and aviation stakeholders. At a time of volatile economic environment and increased competition, it is key to meet, to exchange strategic views on the regulatory environment and to plan for the future. We at Air France are proud to be part of this unrivalled platform, gathering so many decision makers of the air transport industry and organized in Marseille, a great city where, with 400 flights per week, our airline feels at home.”

Taking place on Sunday, 6 April 2014, and open to all attending delegates, the Strategy Summit will open Routes Europe in Marseille with discussions focusing on topics such as: How the low cost carrier model is evolving; Government policies and how industry bodies can work together to implement changes for the good of the whole industry; and How, as the fastest growing segment of the travel and tourism industry, the cruise industry can work more closely with the aviation industry.

Katie Bland, Director Routes for UBM Live, said, “We are thrilled that Mr. Gagey will open the Strategy Summit at this year’s Routes Europe in Marseille, France’s second city. Mr. Gagey will be in good company with the excellent line-up of speakers this year that are sure to make for some very interesting discussions around some of the most topical aviation issues affecting the region.”

Many other industry thought leaders have confirmed their participation at the second annual Routes Europe Strategy Summit including: John Hanlon, Secretary General, ELFAA; Josef Formosa Gauci, Chief Executive Officer, Malta Tourism Authority; Mark Anzur, President of the Management Board and CEO, Adria Airways; Athar Husain Khan, CEO, Association of European Airlines; Pini Shani, Director Overseas Department, Israel Ministry of Tourism; Fernando Estrada, Strategy & Alliances Director, Vueling; Tamur Goudarzi Pour, Director Network Planning, Lufthansa; John Weatherill, Director, Network & Schedule Planning, WestJet and Christian Delom, Director of Strategy and New Technologies, Atout France, the French national tourist office.

Now in its 9th year, Routes Europe is a network planning forum for the entire European region and the 2014 event, which is expected to attract representatives from almost 70 countries, will be hosted by Marseille-Provence Airport at the Palais du Pharo in the picturesque regional capital of Southern France.

Routes Europe brings together over 1,000 delegates from airports, airlines, tourism authorities and other industry stakeholders from across Europe to discuss air service development.