Preparations are in full swing as Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), the managing body and operator of Bahrain International Airport (BIA), is gearing up to host the first edition of Routes Middle East and Africa 2015 (Routes MEA 2015) in Bahrain this month.

The inaugural event will be held at the Gulf Convention Centre from May 31 to June 2 and is expected to draw in hundreds of delegates from across the Middle East and African' aviation industry looking to benefit from valuable information exchange, networking opportunities and prospective partnerships, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

Routes MEA will provide an ideal knowledge-sharing platform for aviation professionals via exposure to constructive panel discussions, debates and presentations on upcoming trends, aviation challenges and developments across the Middle East and Africa.

This significant industry gathering will be attended by more than 350 visiting delegates representing the vast aviation spectrum including airlines, airports, tourism authorities and related bodies.

An exclusive list of high-calibre industry experts and thought leaders has been lined up to shed light on vital topics impacting aviation advancement in the region during the one-day Strategy Summit.

This select group of specialists has helped shape the industry in the Middle East and Africa, and will focus their discussions on route development strategies and opportunities, open skies policies and protocols, the pressing need for better information exchange and regulatory reforms, the impact of European legislation on Middle East carriers, airport congestion and building airports for the future, and market liberalisation across Africa to fuel tourism growth.

“Routes events are considered to be one of the most significant global gatherings for the aviation industry and attract senior representatives seeking to benefit from the interactive sessions and valuable information exchange,” BAC chief commercial officer Mohamed Khalil said.

“This is the first year that a Routes event will be held for the Middle East and Africa regions jointly and taking into consideration the tremendous growth potential this region holds for the aviation and tourism industry, we are confident that it will be a great success.

“The region has become very important from an aviation perspective and represents nearly 11 per cent of global aviation - about double its share from a decade ago.

“International industry forums such as these provide an invaluable source of information to help this region stay ahead of the game,” he added.

“We are proud to be hosting this prestigious inaugural event in Bahrain; it offers a remarkable opportunity to affirm Bahrain's role as a leading regional hub and reiterates our deep-rooted aviation heritage.

“We look forward to welcoming the visiting delegates and showing them the unparalleled warmth and hospitality that defines us, both as host and as a nation,” he said.

“We are delighted to be holding the inaugural Routes Middle East and Africa in Bahrain,” said UBM EMEA director routes Katie Bland.

“This event will bring the wider aviation community to Bahrain, providing our hosts with the ideal opportunity to showcase their destination, and reaffirm their status as an aviation hub for the region.

“We're looking forward to working with the team from BAC, the host for our very first Routes event dedicated to air service development to, from and within the Middle East and Africa.”

Routes MEA will become part of the global Routes portfolio organised by UBM EMEA, which includes World Routes, Routes Asia, Routes Europe, Routes Americas, Routes Silk Road, Routes Africa and Routesonline. - TradeArabia News Service