Europe, as a region, is becoming ever more connected. CAPA estimate that there are now around eight times as many intra-European routes today as there were in 1992, with passenger traffic tripling over the same period. But we haven’t stopped yet. Eurocontrol estimates that the number of flights within Europe will continue to grow by around 1.9% a year, to around 16.2 million flights by 2040, 53% higher than the current level.

Wizz Air
Rising numbers of regional travelers are demanding more point to point connections. Photo: Pixabay

For airport operators and commercial airlines, this represents a strong opportunity to develop new routes, networks and partners. However, finding and developing those contacts can be an expensive and time-consuming process, often requiring travel across hundreds of miles for meetings.

Wouldn’t it be great if all the airlines could meet all the airports under one roof, in a relaxed setting where conversations about route development would be easy? Well, that’s exactly what one event is striving to do; here’s what you need to know about AviaDev’s forthcoming European conference.

Introducing the AviaDev Europe conference

Simple Flying are delighted to be working with AviaDev to promote their work, and a firm highlight on our calendar is the AviaDev Europe conference. Taking place in Valencia from the 23rd to the 25th October 2019, the event promises to be a valuable opportunity for European route development.

aviadev dates

The idea of the AviaDev conference was born in Africa, where conferences have been held with great success for the past four years. Hosted in locations such as Kigali and Cape Town, the events proved to provide a much-needed connection between airlines, airport operators and tourism authorities. Naturally, the European market wanted a slice of the action, and so AviaDev’s European conference was born.

Taking place for the first time in 2018, the conference attracted up to 200 delegates from regional airports, airlines and tourism authorities thanks to its unique perspective. AviaDev has taken a different approach to their European initiative than other industry events.

Zagreb Airport
Smaller airports and regional airlines can find new connections. Photo: Jakov Fabinger, Simple Flying

This event focusses on the regional aspect; connecting smaller, secondary airports and destinations with potential carriers to extend their reach and customer goals. For airlines, it’s a gold plated opportunity to discover new destinations and network development opportunities, all under one roof.

What happens at the AviaDev conference?

Unlike other industry events, where trade-offs need to be made between networking and presentations, AviaDev has structured the event so that every attendee can make the most of all the opportunities.

At the start of the day, all attendees will take part in the conference. This promises to be an intriguing element of the event, including airline interviews and panel discussions, featuring some of the most prominent players in the regional European market.

aviadev europe
Next week's event will see issues such as this addressed with experts. Photo: Aviadev

Following a generous hour-long networking lunch, the most important part of the event kicks off. The afternoon will be entirely focussed on one-to-one meetings between attendees, with both airlines and airports free to pre-arrange discussion time to develop new partnerships for the future.

Described by the Managing Director of AviaDev Europe, Juraj Toth, as ‘speed dating for the aviation industry’, the meetings take place in bite-sized 20-minute slots. This gives ample opportunity for initial discussion, whilst allowing delegates the opportunity for maximum contact over the two days.

Day two is entirely given over to networking opportunities, with one-to-one meetings in the morning and a full afternoon of relaxed networking following that. There are also fun additional activities taking place throughout the event, like the city tours, morning charity run, or the opportunity to see AviaDev CEO and Founder, Jon Howell, running the Valencia half marathon in a gorilla suit on Sunday 27th October – let’s hope the weather isn’t too hot!

Who’s going to AviaDev Europe?

The AviaDev conference promises to be a unique and exciting opportunity for airlines and airports to connect and form new partnerships. The regional focus of the event is attracting both household names as well as smaller, less well-known stakeholders.

Just a few of the confirmed airlines so far include:

  • Azores Airlines
  • Binter
  • Croatia Airlines
  • Eurowings
  • LOT Polish
  • Royal Air Maroc
  • British Airways
  • Vueling
  • Wideroe
Azores Airlines Airbus A321LR Stopover
Connections and points benefits for Air France-KLM passengers. Photo: Airbus

Airports confirmed to be attending to date include:

  • George Best Belfast
  • Cornwall Airport Newquay
  • Aeroport Bergerac
  • Aeroport Castello
  • Costa Daurada
  • Katowice
  • Krakow
  • Lithuanian Airports
  • Milan Bergamo
  • Shannon
  • Tallinn

The complete list of attendees is extensive and is being added to all the time. To view the latest confirmed airlines and airports, visit the AviaDev attendees page here.

Simple Flying is excited to be attending and will be bringing our readers plenty of exclusive content from the event. Find out more at aviationdevelop.com/europe.