ACI World and Routes form partnership to help rebuild air connectivity

ACI World has signed an exclusive partnership with Routes that is designed to help airports recover from the most challenging period the aviation industry.

It is hoped that the formal agreement between the two organisations will provide platforms and guidance for airports at a world level, recognising the vital role they will play in driving economic recovery in a post-pandemic era.

The coming together of Routes, which organises the world’s leading route development forums, and the voice of the world’s airports demonstrates that the recovery of the aviation industry will have its foundation in collaboration.

ACI World estimates the airport industry will suffer a 60% reduction in revenues in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19, amounting to a decline of more than $100 billion.

The complex challenge presented by the pandemic has therefore forced airports and airlines to be reactive, meaning that planning for Summer 2021 – what will be the industry’s most important season – will be critical for both the short and long-term recovery.

The partnership forged at a global level between Routes and ACI World will support the world’s airports in planning for this season, ensuring they continue to provide the economic and social benefits to the local, national and global communities that they serve.

ACI World director general, Luis Felipe de Oliveira, says: “The partnership we have forged with Routes will help move the industry forward down the path of recovery.

“Aviation is an interdependent and interconnected industry and partnerships like this will be crucial in supporting a globally-consistent recovery. We look forward to working with Routes during the recovery process and beyond in support of airports and the wider aviation ecosystem.”

While Routes director, Steven Small, notes: “The sustainable recovery of the aviation industry will be driven by the co-operation and alignment between airports, airlines and destination stakeholders.

“Having worked closely with ACI World for many years, we believe that our first formalised agreement will drive deeper collaboration across the industry and will deliver real value for our airport partners.”

Routes’ forthcoming event Routes Reconnected is the company’s first event since the onset of the pandemic and is designed to support the industry in restoring and reshaping the world’s air services.

Small adds: “For over 25 years, Routes has united airlines, airports and destination stakeholders to negotiate new and existing air services.

“In the last two years, alone over 3,500 new air services have been connected to meetings at Routes events. We are delighted that ACI World will be supporting our upcoming event, Routes Reconnected, and our 2021 programme.”

ACI World’s de Oliveira will deliver a keynote address at the upcoming Routes Reconnected virtual event.

Taking place on November 30 to December 4, the event will unite association leaders, airline CEOs and airline network planners to examine the long-term impact of COVID-19 and shape collective industry action that will stimulate the recovery.