Routes Africa forum heads to Tenerife

Tenerife is gearing up to host Routes Africa, the world’s largest air route development forum for the African region.

Expected to be attended by around 250 route development professionals, the island will become the ‘hub’ where airlines, airports and tourism authorities will discuss how to further develop the aviation industry in the African continent. The Routes Africa event takes place from 26-28 June 2016 at Gran Hotel Bahía del Duque Resort in Costa Adeje.

Some of the leading airlines that have signed up for the event include South African Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, ASKY Airlines, Binter Canarias, Iberia and Norwegian.

The decision to hold the event in Tenerife was due to the island’s strategic location and ambitions. Just 300km off the coast of Morocco, Tenerife is closer to the African continent than the European mainland, which is why it aims to become a connecting aviation hub between Europe, Africa and the Americas.

Carlos Alonso, president of the Tenerife Island Government, said: “Tenerife’s long-term aim is to become a logistical stepping stone to Africa, building on our strong historical ties with the continent.
“Routes Africa is an important part of our activities to strengthen our economic and transport links through new aviation services.”

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicts that seven of the ten fastest growing passenger markets over the next 20 years will be in Africa (Malawi, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Central African Republic, Tanzania, Uganda and Ethiopia). Aviation in the continent currently generates more than $80 billion in GDP and supports 6.9 million jobs. By bringing together senior decision makers from the aviation industry, the event organisers hope to harness the potential for growth in the African continent.

For more information visit: www.routesonline.com/events/185/routes-africa-2016/