CHIANG MAI, Feb 15 — The global aviation industry saw a total of 3,580 new international air routes made available in 2022 despite the uncertainties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, said UK-based aviation consultancy ASM Global Route Development.
Its senior vice-president of consulting Tony Griffin said despite the staggering number of new routes, the industry is still in the red.
“The United States accounts for 400 of the new routes and Rome – Fiumicino International Airport has announced 48 new routes, the highest among all the airports in the world.
“1,930 routes were ‘new city path market’ [sic],” he said during a panel discussion titled Versatility as the new strategy, at the Routes Asia CNX 2023 event here today.
Boeing Marketing Regional Director for Southeast Asia Neil Hathi said that airlines across the globe have been doing well in adapting and recovering, especially putting in capacity into domestic markets.
“We also see cargo continuing to be the major focus for airlines as the demand is picking up, and we are seeing many airlines are utilising their narrow body aircraft,” he said.
Routes Asia, the brainchild of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) and aviation events organiser The Routes — provides a platform for the region’s airlines, airports, tourism authorities and aviation stakeholders to meet, share best practices and develop network strategies as well as ensure future air service development across the Asia-Pacific region.
Originally known as New Route Asia, it was first held in 2003 in Kuala Lumpur.
A decade later, MAHB co-hosted Routes Asia 2014 with the Sarawak Tourism Board in Kuching.
— Bernama
