Conference Programme

Tuesday, 8 April 2025

• 09:00 - 09:10

  Welcome Address

  Steven Small, Director Events, Routes

  Welcome introduction from Routes. Hear what you can expect over the course of the event.

• 09:10 - 09:30

  Opening Remarks

  Hear more about why Routes Europe 2025 is taking place in Sevilla, Spain.

• 09:30 - 09:50

  Keynote Address: State of the Airport Industry

  This session will explore the current state of the industry in Europe and the opportunities ahead.

  What are the long-term growth forecasts for the region? What changes are required to ensure sustainable and competitive air connectivity? How changing business models, ongoing consolidation and new aircraft fleet altering the landscape as we know it?

• 10:00 - 10:20

  Keynote Address: State of the Airline Industry

  Rafael Schvartzman, Regional Vice President, Europe, IATA

  Consolidation, sustainability and operational stability are core themes for European airlines in 2024 following a spate of mid-sized flag carrier acquisitions, geopolitical uncertainty, air traffic control disruption and the ripple effect of engine supply and maintenance issues. Hear more about the changing dynamics of the European airline industry.

• 10:30 - 10:50

  Keynote Address: A4E

  Ourania Georgoutsakou, Managing Director, Airlines for Europe (A4E)

• 11:05 - 11:55

  CEO Keynote Interview

• 14:00 - 14:50

  Overcoming Disruptions: Tackling Supply Chain Strains, Geopolitical Instability, and Workforce Challenges

  As we enter 2025, the pandemic is firmly in the rearview mirror, with borders open and regional traffic and capacity largely restored to pre-2019 levels. However, the aviation industry continues to face significant headwinds. Persistent inflation, rising cost pressures, and labor shortages challenge growth and operations. Airlines are contending with unprecedented supply chain disruptions and engine-related issues, resulting in a shortage of aircraft capacity and uncertainty in fleet availability and scheduling for the years ahead. 

  Adding to these challenges is ongoing geopolitical instability in regions like Eastern Europe and the Middle East, which has disrupted airline route networks and further complicated recovery efforts. 

  Join this panel of influential industry executives as they share insights into how airlines and airports are navigating these disruptions. Explore strategies for managing uncertainty, balancing operational demands, and maintaining resilience in the face of evolving global challenges.

• 15:35 - 16:25

  What’s next for route development?

  • Gabriel Schmilovich Isgut, Chief Strategy Officer, Volotea
  • Gonzalo Pernas, Head of Network International, SAS - Scandinavian Airlines
  • Jonay Lobo Torres, Head of Network, Revenue Management & Alliances, Binter
  • Jordi Pla Pintre, Chief Network & Strategy Officer, Vueling
  • Miguel Oliver, Network Planning & Scheduling Director, Iberia Regional / Air Nostrum

  As the aviation industry continues to recover and adapt, European airlines face both opportunities and challenges in shaping the future of route development. This panel discussion will bring together key decision-makers from leading European carriers to explore the trends, technologies, and strategies influencing route expansion across the continent.

  The session will delve into the evolving dynamics of passenger demand, the impact of sustainability regulations and goals on network planning, and the role of new aircraft technology in unlocking previously unviable routes. Panelists will also examine the challenges of connecting secondary and underserved markets, adapting to geopolitical changes, and fostering partnerships with airports and tourism boards to ensure mutual growth.

  Join us for an engaging conversation as industry leaders share insights into their route development strategies, predictions for the future, and how they plan to stay ahead in a competitive and fast-changing market.

Wednesday, 9 April 2025

• 09:30 - 10:00

  Maximizing the Potential of Your Airport Data Products with ASM

  Aidan Mooney, Vice President Consulting, ASM Global Route Development

• 10:00 - 10:50

  CEO Keynote Interview

• 11:05 - 11:55

  Europe’s Role in Global Sustainable Aviation

  Europe has long been a leader in advancing sustainable aviation, setting ambitious goals for carbon neutrality, implementing innovative technologies, and shaping regulatory frameworks that influence the global industry. As the urgency to decarbonize aviation intensifies, Europe’s role becomes even more critical in fostering collaboration between airlines, airports, and governments to achieve meaningful progress. 

  This panel brings together key stakeholders to explore Europe’s contributions to global sustainable aviation efforts. Topics will include the integration of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs), advancements in electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft, and strategies for reducing emissions across airline networks and airport operations. Panelists will also address the challenges of balancing environmental goals with economic growth and operational efficiency. 

  Gain insights into how Europe’s leadership in sustainable aviation is shaping air route development and discover the opportunities and challenges for global collaboration in building a greener future for the industry. 

• 13:30 - 14:20

  Navigating the Skies: Governmental Pressure on European Aviation

  The European aviation industry continues to face an evolving regulatory landscape as governments impose measures to address growing environmental concerns. With the looming threat of further flight restrictions and escalating aviation taxes, airlines and airports across Europe are being pushed to adapt to increasingly stringent regulations. 

  This session will delve into the constraints posed by governmental actions, focusing on the impact of green taxes, noise control regulations, and other environmental policies shaping the future of European aviation. Panelists will discuss how these regulatory challenges are influencing air travel, the future of air routes, and the long-term viability of airlines and airports in the region. 

  Join us for an in-depth discussion on how the industry is responding to these pressures and what steps are being taken to balance environmental objectives with the need for operational growth and market competitiveness in a rapidly changing global aviation environment. 

• 14:30 - 15:20

  Panel Discussion: Transforming Transatlantic Air Travel with Long-Range Narrowbodies

  The advent of longer-range narrowbodies continues to revolutionize network strategies, allowing airlines to explore new possibilities for long-haul routes and transform the economics of thinner markets. 

  The Airbus A321LR and Boeing 737 MAX have already enabled carriers to profitably serve city pairs with lower demand that were previously inaccessible with larger widebody aircraft. Now, the introduction of the Airbus A321XLR in 2025 is pushing these boundaries even further, opening opportunities for ultra-long-range routes, such as transatlantic flights into Central Europe. 

  This panel will explore: 

  • How long-range narrowbodies are reshaping long-haul economics: What are the cost advantages, and how are they changing airline operating models? 
  • The impact on hubs: Will the growth of point-to-point narrowbody flights dilute the importance of traditional hub-and-spoke networks? 
  • Opportunities for secondary cities: How will the increased range and efficiency of narrowbody aircraft create new opportunities for underserved regions in Europe and beyond? 

  Join us as industry leaders discuss the strategic, economic, and operational implications of the long-haul narrowbody revolution and what it means for the future of global air connectivity. 

• 15:35 - 15:55

  Panel Discussion: Predictions for Europe’s aviation market

Thursday, 10 April 2025

• 11:05 - 11:25

  Airline Briefing

  Exclusive updates direct from key airline decision makers and network planners.     

• 11:35 - 11:55

  Airline Briefing

  Exclusive updates direct from key airline decision makers and network planners

• 13:45 - 14:05

  Airline Briefing

  Exclusive updates direct from key airline decision makers and network planners.     

• 14:05 - 14:35

  A Productive Routes Meeting – Key Insights from Network Planners

  What makes a Routes meeting truly productive? Join our expert panel as we explore the decision-making factors and critical metrics that network planners prioritize when evaluating new routes. Discover the challenges and opportunities from a network planner’s perspective and gain valuable insights into the evolving landscape of route development. From balancing demand forecasting to navigating operational constraints, this session will shed light on the key elements that drive successful network planning and the strategies that ensure long-term growth in an increasingly competitive market.