Sales Officially Launched for Routes CIS 2013

Over 200 Route Development Professionals expected to attend 3^rd Routes CIS Event

MANCHESTER, England, May 30, 2013 /CNW/ - Routes CIS is the only route development forum for the entire CIS region and the 2013 event, which will take place on 21-23 July, will be hosted by Donetsk Sergey Prokofiev International Airport.  Taking place at the Shaktar Plaza Hotel, the largest hotel in Donetsk, the event is expected to attract around 250 air service decision makers from across the CIS region.

Routes CIS offers the region's airlines and airports, as well as those from outside the region with an interest in increasing air connections to the CIS countries, the perfect platform to do business and improve air transport networks.  Early registrations have already been received from, amongst others; CSA Czech Airlines, Wizz Air, China Southern, JSC Rusline, UTAir, easyJet, Etihad Airways, Air Baltic and Ukraine International Airlines.

The Routes CIS Strategy Summit, which is open to all attending delegates, will take place on Monday 22^nd July.  Kirill Osypov Director General of Donetsk International Airport will open the Summit followed by a keynote address from Mr Valentin Zgurskiy, Head of Aviation Transport Department, Ministry of Infrastructure, Ukraine.  A panel of leading industry experts will then take part in moderator led discussions addressing aviation and route development issues across the region including:

Turbulence in the CIS Airline Industry

Regional Airport Development in CIS

Attracting the Outbound CIS Market

Cooperating with Low Cost Carriers

"We are looking forward to bringing the region's route development community to Donetsk so they can experience the thriving and diverse region of Donbass.  Routes CIS will be the perfect opportunity for Donetsk to showcase the new airport terminal and the first class facilities it provides," says David Stroud, Executive Vice President, Routes, continuing:  "We also expect the 2013 event to grow in line with the CIS Market growth and to welcome more delegates than ever to Routes CIS in 2013."

With a population of over one million inhabitants, Donetsk is one of the largest cities in the Ukraine and is the administrative centre for the region which has a population of over four million people which makes up 10% of the overall population of the country.  The Donetsk region is also the country's largest industrial centre incorporating metal, coal and chemical industries as well as heavy machinery.

Donetsk was also one of the host cities for the European Football Championship 2012 and in accordance with the plan for Euro 2012 a new airport terminal and runway was constructed in 2011.  This new runway is able to land all kinds of aircraft without exception and the terminal has a capacity of 3,100 passengers per hour.  The airport is now able to serve up to five million passengers per year, making it the second busiest airport in the Ukraine.  Located seven kilometres away from the city centre, Donetsk Airport has a catchment area of 6.5 million potential passengers and flies to 29 international and domestic destinations.

Notes to Editors

About Routes

• Routes organises world-renowned airline and airport networking events through its regional and global Route Development Forums. Each year, there is one global event and one regional event in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas and CIS respectively. http://www.routesonline.com
• Routes was founded in 1995 as part of the Manchester UK-based ASM Ltd., a consultancy specialising in the field of route development for airports. http://www.asm-global.com
• Routes and ASM were acquired by UBM Aviation Worldwide Ltd in August 2010.  From 1^st August 2012 Routes, ASM and the Airport Cities Conference and Exhibition become part of the UBM Live division of UBM plc.
• UBM Live connects people and creates opportunities for companies across five continents to develop new business, meet customers, launch new products, promote their brands and expand their markets.  Through premiere brands such as MD&M, CPhI, IFSEC, TFM&A, Cruise Shipping Miami, the Concrete Show, the Routes portfolio of events, Airport Cities and many others, UBM Live exhibitions, conferences, awards programs, publications, websites and training and certification programs are an integral part of the marketing plans of companies across more than 20 industry sectors. http://www.ubmlive.com

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SOURCE: UBM Live Routes Ltd

Victoria Jones, PR Executive, Routes, T: [phone], E: [email protected]