Routes Europe 2017

The route development forum for Europe

Belfast, Northern Ireland
• 23 – 25 April 2017

Live Content Programme Speakers

Kenny Jacobs

Chief Marketing Officer, Ryanair

Kenny Jacobs, Chief Marketing Officer of Ryanair, Europe’s biggest and the world’s leading low-cost airline.

He is responsible for sales, marketing and customer service at Ryanair.

Previously Kenny was CMO for Moneysupermarket plc. which has a set of digital brands saving consumers money on insurance, finance, energy and travel.

Kenny has spent most of his career in retail, with Tesco PLC as marketing director in Tesco Ireland and brand director for Tesco UK. Prior to that he worked for German retailer Metro Group GmbH in various roles in marketing and IT in Europe and Asia.

Website

Participating Talks and Sessions

Jochen Schnadt

CCO, bmi regional

A Senior Aviation Executive having worked in various commercial, strategic, planning and operational roles most recently with Monarch Airlines as Commercial Director and previously with such companies as Aer Lingus, Qatar Airways, BA CityFlyer, SkyWest, AWAS and Eurocontrol.

With a track record of achieving and exceeding targets, Jochen is a firm believer in the need for constant change and innovation and has been involved in various leading-edge projects and developments during his 20-year career in commercial aviation.

Website

Participating Talks and Sessions

Simon McNamara

Director General, ERA

Simon was appointed Director General on 1 January 2013. Prior to this he held the position of Deputy Director General from July 2010 and before that was Director Industry Affairs covering the development, promotion and implementation of ERA's policies on air traffic infrastructure, user charges, airport matters, the environment and Air Transport Policy.

Website

Participating Talks and Sessions

Vincent Hodder

Chief Revenue Officer, Flybe

Vincent joined Flybe in December 2015. He is responsible for driving revenue performance with direct responsibility for network and schedule development and route performance management as well as for revenue management and pricing.

Previously he was Chief Commercial Officer at VivaAerobus in Mexico, Executive Director and Senior Vice President of Operations in Tokyo for Jetstar, and Vice President for Strategic Development at Gruopo TACA in El Salvador.

Vincent also spent three years at Bain & Co where he worked for airline clients in Australia and South Africa.

He holds a BA in Commerce and an MBA from Melbourne Business School, University of Melbourne.

Website

Participating Talks and Sessions

Thomas Reynaert

Managing Director, Airlines for Europe (A4E)

Since March 2016, Thomas Reynaert is Managing Director of Airlines for Europe (A4E), Europe’s largest EU airline association which was launched in January 2016, founded by Air France KLM, easyJet, International Airlines Group (IAG), Lufthansa Group and Ryanair.

Prior to joining A4E, as President of the United Technologies (UTC) International Operations (Europe) he led the government relations activities for Europe on behalf of UTC during 2008–2015. During this time, he was responsible for providing counsel to the corporation and its business units on EU rulemaking and policy, as well as articulating the company’s point of view and business interests to decision makers in the EU institutions and national governments. He also maintained top-­‐level contacts for the corporation and assisted the leaders of UTC’s European businesses in building relationships with decision makers in the EU. In 2011, with the support of UTC’s global CEO, he established the ‘UTC European Regional Meeting’, an internal European business executive roundtable to share best practices across UTC’s businesses – a practice that was then copied by other regional offices globally. During Thomas’  leadership UTC’s government relations program was reorganized and truly professionalized through a strict performance model, in line withannual business objectives and based on KPIs endorsed by the global leadership of the company.

Prior to joining UTC, Thomas led the government relations and regulatory affairs team for Nortel Networks in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), beginning in 2000. Before that, he was director of EU public affairs for Lucent Technologies (today: ‘Alcatel--Lucent’).

Earlier positions include business development manager at the European Private Equity and Venture Capital Association and external relations consultant at the European Commission.

Between November 2008 and May 2014 Thomas served as a member of the Supervisory Board of the UTC Company OTIS Management GmbH (Germany). During 2011-­2015 Thomas was Chair of AmCham EU’s Security and Defense Committee. He represented UTC at the European Executive Council (EEC) since 2010. In 2014 he became a member of the Strategy Advisory Board of the Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE) and of the European Advisory Committee of the Public Affairs Council (PAC). In September 2015 he was appointed a Member of the Executive Committee of the European Centre for Public Affairs (ECPA).

Website

Participating Talks and Sessions

Bernard A. Lavelle

Sales Director, London City Airport

Bernard joined London City Airport in 1988; just 12-months after the airport first opened. Initially, starting off in Marketing.

Following this, Bernard spent several years in the commercial field at LCY where he started, developed and ran the airport’s successful media sales business. During this time, Bernard launched the first ever airport web site in the UK (1996) and launched the first Wi-Fi operation available to passengers in a UK airport.

Bernard was then asked to develop the airport’s airline and route network strategy, an area for which he still has responsibility today. During this time, passenger numbers have increased from 100,000 pa to 4.5M pa in 2016 and routes from 11 to close to 50 today. Bernard has a BA in Economics from London Metropolitan University and is also a Board member of the European Regional Airlines Association (ERA.) He is also a guest lecturer at Cranfield University and the University of Westminster as well as an external advisor for the MSc in Air Transport at the University of Westminster. In his spare time he is an avid golfer and supports his beloved Chelsea FC.

Website

Participating Talks and Sessions

Raul Villaron

Marketing Director EMEA, Embraer

Mr. Raul Villaron has more than 10 years of experience in the airline industry. Airline strategies, fleet & network planning are among his main expertise, which he acquired along 8 years working at Embraer Commercial Aircraft Sales for airlines in Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America.

Over those years, Mr. Raul Villaron has worked closely with airlines to support their fleet and network development as well as to help start-up airlines to build their business planning.

He is also responsible for the prospecting activities in the region, showing Embraer view of the market and how the E-Jets fit to the each airline business models.

Participating Talks and Sessions

Claus Altenburg

Director Revenue Management and Development, Germania

Participating Talks and Sessions

Nicholas Davis

Head of Strategy, 11 Skies

An accomplished corporate and commercial C level executive

Innovator in technology, travel and business.

Current - HoS for powdair the new winter sports airline

Ex Head of Aviation for Sunseeker (Motor Yachts)

Ex Atlantic Aviation & Highland Airways / PSO implementation 

Ex Wiggins Group (Airports) 

Investors supporting 11 Skies include 2 private offices including one with existing airline interests

 11 Skies

  • Providing a unique opportunity for airports to mitigate risk in developing unserved routes
  • Providing safe and sensible route proving or extraction for LCC’s / mainline carriers - (capacity versus demand)
  • Aircraft type agnostic - turbo-props, regionals, long haul 
  • Alternative PSO - National Flag Carrier
  • Cutting edge data sources to prove demand
  • Experts in sales, marketing, social media, PR, communication and customer services (front end web portal)
  • Fully responsive
  • Globally unrestricted

Participating Talks and Sessions

Umran Parvez

Business Development Manager, AFEX

Umran has over 10 years’ experience in business development, ensuring all clients are presented with products and solutions tailored to their individual requirements. Over the last 3 years whilst working for AFEX, Umran has actively implemented Global Payments and Risk Management Solutions to the existing portfolio of clients in addition to increasing brand awareness. AFEX has a broad range of clients within all industry sectors including aviation and cater for the currency requirements of major household names.

Umran will ensure he has a comprehensive understanding of the currency exposure for clients and he is able to offer products such as SPOT, Forward Contracts, Rate Orders, Online Platform, File Upload (batch payment processing), Integrated Payment Solutions (API), Credit and Settlement terms. In addition, Umran works within a highly experienced team to ensure consistency including an Options specialist (CF30 approved) who is able to present advanced risk management solutions.

Participating Talks and Sessions

Tony Griffin

Senior Vice President, ASM

Tony is one of ASM’s most experienced consultants with nearly 30 years’ experience in the aviation industry, developing routes at Manchester Airport for 13 years before joining ASM in 2000. He oversees the management of ASM’s clients and leads the training portfolio.

Participating Talks and Sessions

Richard Torres

Corporate Foreign Exchange, AFEX

Participating Talks and Sessions

Niall O’Connor

Director of Route Development, Ryanair

Participating Talks and Sessions

Aidan Mooney

Vice President, ASM

Aidan has worked in the aviation industry for over 25 years and was previously the director of aviation development at Manchester Airports Group. He has negotiated with airlines from around the globe and is a well-known figure in the aviation industry. Aidan has extensive experience in forecasting, budget planning and management reporting.

Website

Trevor Charsley

Senior Advisory, Associated Foreign Exchange (AFEX)

Trevor is an FCA CF30 approved Senior market adviser with over 25 years’ trading and sales experience. Roles he has fulfilled include being Head of FX trading at a Japanese Investment House and also various senior sales capacities, providing Trevor with deep overall knowledge and experience of financial markets. Whilst working at AFEX Trevor has serviced clients in the Wealth management and Boutique Investment space as well as the Aviation industry. Trevor’s latest role includes the provision of market analysis and views to the AFEX client base as well as helping select advisory clients structure and manage their FX hedging policies.

Trevor provides a weekly blog on the latest FX themes and is often quoted in the UK business press including the Financial Times and Daily Telegraph. Most recently over the UK’s Brexit referendum and US presidential election he was quoted in The Independent, The Wall St Journal, the LA Times and CNBC.

Website

Participating Talks and Sessions

Nigel Mayes

Senior Vice President, ASM

Nigel has over 15 years’ experience in route development and is responsible for product development at ASM. He gained his industry experience at Birmingham Airport where he was responsible for long haul route development, and he also spent six years developing commercial revenues and industry links at Routes, including an online forum for the route development community.

Specialisms: Route development, sales and marketing, traffic forecasting, the future of the aviation industry, training

Qualifications: BSc Economics and Geography, University College London; MSc Transport Planning & Management, Westminster University

Based: Manchester, UK

Website

Participating Talks and Sessions

Prof Keith Mason

Centre for Air Transport Management, Cranfield University

Keith Mason completed his Bachelor's degree in Business and Marketing in 1990. In 1995, he completed his PhD on the marketing of short haul business travel services which he did in association with Air UK. He joined Cranfield University in 1998. His research focuses on the business travel market, and in understanding the elements of an airline's business model that leads to success.

Participating Talks and Sessions

Hugh Aitken

Commercial Director, Skyscanner

Hugh heads is a Commercial Director at Skyscanner within its B2B division.  Hugh heads up the team that develops strategic partnerships and takes to market a range of unique analytical tools to provide partners with a holistic insight into travel demand and trends. Before joining Skyscanner, Hugh spent four years at EasyJet, where he looked after the commercial performance and market strategy for the airline across London, Scotland the North East of England, as well as the Middle East and Iceland. Prior to that Hugh spent 13 years at UK airport operator, BAA, where he held a number of senior commercial and business development roles.  

Website

Participating Talks and Sessions

Faical Allou

Business Development Manager, Skyscanner Analytics

Faical began his career in 2004 in Spain and fell in love with the aviation business. After working for Air France and Royal Air Maroc, he joined a Lufthansa Consulting, where he lead consulting engagements in the areas of strategy, network planning, revenue management, make or buy decisions and cost Analysis. During his consulting years, Faical also founded a start-up airline in Africa and spoke at various conferences. He currently is in charge of the analytics products at Skyscanner and delivers insights and practices from the Internet ecosystem to the airline industry.

Website

Participating Talks and Sessions

Andreas Mathisen

Business Development Manager, Danish Air Transport

Business Development Manager – DANISH AIR TRANSPORT (DAT)

  • Development of DAT scheduled routes
  • Development of corporate clients
  • Development of WET LEASE / ACMI marked
  • Development of potential projects for regional airports / clients

Sales Manager – Carlson Wagonlit (CWT)

  • Development of corporate clients
  • NEW BIZZ
  • Responsible for implementation of corporate clients
  • Booking systems
  • Payment

 

KAM – DELL Computer (DELL)

All positions are/were with global footprint and required following:

 Knowledge about local regions

  • Understand needs/demands
  • Nice to have / need to have
  • Insure regions were involved together with airport
  • Understand the key to success
  • How to support each other  

Participating Talks and Sessions

Gordon Dewar

CEO, Edinburgh Airport

Gordon Dewar took up the post of Chief Executive in July 2012. Under his stewardship, Edinburgh Airport has consolidated itself as one of Europe’s leading airports with being named Best European Airport of its size by the ACI for an unprecedented third time.
Rebranding the airport as the place where ‘Scotland meets the world’, Gordon has overseen airlines including Virgin Atlantic, Air Canada and Turkish Airlines commence services at Edinburgh, driving passenger numbers over 1 million for an individual month in July and August 2013. In 2014, Edinburgh welcomed Qatar and US Airways as well as a new destination of Chicago from United as the airport reach extends further into the long-haul market. In 2015, Etihad added to long haul choices for passengers and in 2016, Delta commenced their New York operation.

Gordon spent 4 years with BAA running Glasgow and Edinburgh airports through periods of extensive investments in terminal capacity and passenger growth from 2007 to 2010. He then spent 2 years as Chief Executive at Bahrain International Airport overhauling the facilities and operations there and creating a profitable business for the first time.
Gordon has held a number of senior positions with leading transport operators, including commercial, general management and business development roles. Prior to this he spent 10 years in Transport Consultancy.

Participating Talks and Sessions

Andrew Cornish

CEO, Liverpool John Lennon Airport

Andrew Cornish was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Liverpool John Lennon Airport on 15 September 2014, and is responsible for the overall performance, management and strategic development of the airport company.

Prior to his current role, Mr Cornish held the position of Chief Customer and Brand Officer at Aer Lingus, responsible for all customer facing activity and a member of the Group Executive Board.

Mr Cornish previously held the position of Chief Executive at MDL, Europe's largest owner and operator of marinas, based in Southampton.

From 2005-2010, Mr Cornish was the Managing Director of Manchester Airport Group, looking after all facets of the airports operation, commercial performance, investment decisions and major capital project management, he was also a member of the Group Board. His achievements include overseeing the £80m redevelopment of Terminals One and Two, dramatically improving customer satisfaction scores and he was described as being 'instrumental' in stirking a deal with Emirates to bring the A380 to Manchester.

Mr Cornish has also worked for Eastman Kodaka Company and the Unipart Group of Companies and holds a BA (Hons) degree in economics.

Website

Participating Talks and Sessions

Brian Ambrose

CEO, Belfast City Airport

A career spanning 40 years in the aviation industry has included senior management positions within Bombardier in Engineering, Business Development and Operations.  In 1997 Brian was appointed Director of Operations at Belfast City Airport with responsibility for the day to day running of the airport. 

In January 2004 Brian was appointed Chief Executive of the Airport and is responsible for a growing business with an annual passenger throughput in excess of 2.7 million with 110 flights each day.  With over 1,600 people currently working at the airport, Belfast City Airport has become a significant employer and contributor to the Northern Ireland economy.

Brian is currently, Non-Executive Director Phoenix Natural Gas, a Trustee of the Titanic Foundation and a Board Member of Business in the Community.

Brian is the past Chair of CBI Northern Ireland and Tourism Ireland.  He was awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honours in 2011.

Website

Participating Talks and Sessions

Marco van de Kreeke

CEO, Groningen Airport Eelde

Marco van de Kreeke is CEO of Groningen Airport Eelde. Marco holds a degree from Wageningen University and started his career in aviation in 1993 at Maastricht Aachen Airport, where he worked on the development of airport infrastructure and environmental zoning. In 1996 he became general manager of Maastricht Handling Services, the handling services provider at the airport. In 2001 Marco moved to Tanzania, East Africa, where he was appointed Airport Manager at Kilimanjaro Airport. Thereafter he was Managing Director of Bonaire International Airport where he managed the transition of the airport organization from governmental department into service oriented company. In 2008 he returned to Maastricht as (interim) COO of Maastricht Handling Services. In 2009 Marco once again moved to Kilimanjaro Airport in Tanzania, this time in the role of Managing Director. Marco returned to the Netherlands in 2012 to manage the development of the regional airport of the Northern Netherlands.

Website

Participating Talks and Sessions

Jeremy Robinson

Partner, Watson, Farley & Williams

Jeremy is a Partner in the London office of international law firm Watson Farley & Williams LLP.  Jeremy specialises in EU and UK Competition Law and Regulation across all sectors but with particular interest in aviation.  He assists airport and airline clients with competition investigations, EU litigation and competition advice in commercial transactions. His work covers international merger control for mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures; distribution and licensing arrangements; restrictive agreements/abuse of dominance; competition compliance; State aid; economic and trade sanctions; economic regulation; and the legal implications of “Brexit”.

Participating Talks and Sessions

Carolyn Burnett

Head of Live Content, Aviation, UBM EMEA

Carolyn is responsible for all the live content at Routes events, including the Strategy Summits, Tourism Summit and Routes Talks programmes. She has over eight years’ experience within the aviation sector and has run over 45 Routes conferences and summits across China, USA, Africa, India, Russia, Ukraine, Australia, Malaysia, Canada, Latin American and various countries throughout Europe and the Middle East.  She aims to bring together leaders from across the globe to address key industry issues, through a programme of informative and dynamic live content. In addition, she manages relationships and partnerships with key industry associations for Routes.

She has a background in live events and prior to UBM, she has worked within the health sector and the arts sector on live events and conferences and she also set up and ran her own business. Carolyn started her career with IBM, as part of their graduate training programme and specialised in project management, working on a number of consultancy projects across a range of business sectors during her early career.

Website

Participating Talks and Sessions

Yolanta Strikitsa

Director, Strikitsa Consulting

MBA from California State University Hayward (USA), BA from Gnesinykh State College (RF). During the last 15 years Yolanta has dedicated herself to management consulting and executive search. She has been living and working in USA, Russia and UK, where in 2003 she set up her own business. Prior to Strikitsa Consulting, Yolanta has been working for Morgan Chase, Leucadia National Private Equity and Price Waterhouse. Yolanta is fluent in English, Polish and Russian.

Strikitsa Consulting has been specializing in executive search and consulting services to airports and airlines from 2003 and have completed assignments in UK, Europe, Russia & CIS and SE Asia. 

Participating Talks and Sessions

Mike St. Laurent

Vice President Consulting, ASM

Mike brings over 30 years of airline experience to ASM. He had a long career at Air Canada where he was responsible for the planning and launch of many successful new routes, holding senior roles in network planning, strategy, fleet planning, scheduling and revenue management. He joined ASM in 2014.

Participating Talks and Sessions

Oliver Setchell

Airport and Ground Services Procurement Manager, Cathay Pacific

Participating Talks and Sessions