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Conference Programme

Route development and industry briefings provide delegates with crucial and first-class insight, industry analysis and updates.

Saturday 1st February

Sunday 2nd February

Monday 3rd February

Mon
09:30 - 10:00
Opening Remarks

Welcome from the Hosts of CONNECT 2025!

Patrick Edmond, Consultant, CONNECT Aviation
Karin Butot, CEO, CONNECT Aviation
Jaume Fàbrega, President, Girona Chamber of Commerce
Miquel Noguer, President, Girona Province Council
Silvia Paneque, Regional Minister for Housing & Ecological Transition, Government of Catalonia
Josep Rull, President, Parliament of Catalonia
Mon
10:00 - 10:30
Industry Briefing

State of the Industry

Review of 2024: How did airlines perform? What are the key pointers for 2025? Market trends and geopolitical challenges 

How are airlines managing challenges created by late aircraft deliveries and groundings? 

What are the reasons behind airlines poor punctuality and reliability performance and how are airlines addressing these? 

John Strickland, Director, JLS Consulting
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Meet us at our hosts' stand!

Mon
11:00 - 11:30
Panel Discussion

The Case for Girona

Discover what makes Girona an exceptional choice for route development. This panel will explore its distinctive appeal as a destination, highlighting the opportunities it offers for the airline and tourism industries.

*Final speaker lineup to be confirmed.

Moderator

Jaume Dulsat Rodriguez, Costa Brava Tourist Board Member, Diputacio de Girona
Jordi Candela, General Director, Aeroports de Catalunya
Lluis Coromina, Dean Faculty of Tourism, University of Girona
Jordi Masquef, First Vice-President, Costa Brava Girona Tourism Board
Patrick Torrent, Executive Director, Catalan Tourist Board
Mon
11:30 - 12:30
Panel Discussion

Unlocking Opportunities in the Spanish Market

Spain remains the second most-visited country in the world and a reliable tourist magnet. But there's more to it as an air travel market. Its size and regional autonomy, with significant cities, supports a large domestic air travel market, though this faces competition from high-speed trains and regulation. Spain's location and historic links position it as a natural hub between Europe and South and Central America, while the Canary Islands act as a gateway to West Africa.

Despite its appeal as a destination, Spain underperforms in outbound tourism. The average Spaniard takes only 0.75 overseas trips per year, compared to over 1.2 for residents of Britain, Germany, or Ireland, and more than 2.5 for the Dutch.

What lies ahead for Spain's aviation market? Is there room for growth in the traditional “bucket and spade” tourist market, or will concerns about overtourism in destinations like Barcelona and Tenerife shift the landscape? How does AENA's near-monopoly on airports influence competition? And how can regional airlines like Binter and Air Nostrum carve out a lasting niche against low-cost carriers? Join us to hear from the experts!

Moderator

Patrick Edmond, Consultant, CONNECT Aviation

Panel

Gabriel Schmilovich Isgut, Chief Strategy Officer, Volotea
Manuel Jonay Lobo Torres, Head of Network, Revenue Management & Alliances, Binter
Miguel Oliver, Network Planning & Scheduling Director, Iberia Regional / Air Nostrum
Jordi Pla Pintre, Chief Network & Strategy Officer, Vueling
Speaker to be announced
Mon
14:00 - 14:30
Head to Head

Head to Head

Join John Strickland for an insightful interview with Gonzalo Pernas from SAS, as they discuss their recent exciting developments, including new investors, a new alliance, and several network expansions. With around 30 new routes announced for the Winter 24-25 and Summer 25 traffic programs, this session offers a unique opportunity to hear SAS's perspective on the industry and their future plans.

Gonzalo Pernas Alonso, Head of Network International, SAS - Scandinavian Airlines System
Mon
14:30 - 15:30
Panel Discussion

Sustainability and Overtourism Challenges

Tourism is big business: it's estimated to account for 10% of global GDP and about the same share of global employment. And tourism has been growing exponentially, accounting for some 1.3 billion international visits in 2023 (that's doubled since 2000). Tourism is closely linked with aviation: most international tourists travel by air, and aviation accounts for 60% of tourism's total carbon emissions. Tourism is vital to the economies of many countries and regions, but we already see stresses, whether in Venice or Amsterdam or Barcelona or Tenerife, where the numbers of visitors are arguably exceeding the “carrying capacity” of the destination and making life worse for residents. How can we resolve this? In a world where the appreciation of other countries and other cultures is more important than ever, how can we continue to enjoy the economic and social benefits of tourism while addressing the problems of social and environmental unsustainability?

Moderator

Patrick Edmond, Consultant, CONNECT Aviation

Panel

Franc Sanmarti, Director of Sustainability, Vueling
Daniel Bloch, Director, Partnerships, LanzaJet
Louis Lammertyn, Co-Founder, BookBetter
Mirosław Bartyzel, PR & Marketing Specialist, Małopolska Tourism Organisation
Victoire Totah, Strategy Development Director, Edeis
Mon
16:00 - 16:30
Keynote

How is the A321 XLR a Game Changer and How Does It Achieve It?

Discover how advancements in aircraft manufacturing have transformed the aviation landscape. The extended range capabilities of modern aircraft, like the A321XLR, have made long-distance routes more accessible, even on single-aisle aircraft. With proven comfort comparable to widebody cabins, these aircraft not only unlock new markets but also sustain operations during low-demand seasons. Join us as we explore how airlines continue to innovate, maximizing fleet potential and pushing the boundaries of route development to shape the future of air travel.

Yves Renard, Head of Fleet, Network Planning & Commonality, Airbus
Mon
16:30 - 17:00
Panel Discussion

Opportunities for Europe with the African Market

Despite persistent challenges, the rising demand for air travel in Africa presents exciting opportunities for European and African stakeholders to drive economic growth, enhance regional connectivity, and strengthen global aviation ties. This session will explore the pressing concerns facing Africa's airport leaders, collaborative investments in infrastructure, advancements in technology, regulatory reforms and pathways to sustainable development as stakeholders unlock new potential to boost trade and tourism between the two continents.

Moderator

Chloe Greenbank, Editor & Journalist, HMG Aerospace

Panel

Askin Demir, CEO, LAS (Limak-Aibd-Summa) – Dakar Airport
Namory Camara, Managing Director, Ahmed Sekou Toure International Airport (SOGEAC)
Mon
17:00 - 17:30
Keynote

Elevate your route development game: Best practices for airline engagement

Lufthansa Consulting

Airlines receive a large number of route proposals, making it essential for airports to stand out with a well-structured, impactful pitch. Securing new air services requires more than just presenting numbers – it's about telling a compelling story that aligns with an airline's strategy. In this session, Lufthansa Consulting will highlight best practices for refining an airport's Air Service Development (ASD) approach, from establishing a structured and multi-faceted ASD strategy, to structuring your presentation effectively, to visualizing data in a way that captures attention. Learn how to cut through the noise, communicate your market potential persuasively, and ensure your pitch resonates with airline decision-makers.

Ainesh Advani, Senior Consultant, Network and Fleet Planning, Lufthansa Consulting
Alyssa Luisa Drzisga, Consultant, Lufthansa Consulting
Stay with us for the welcome reception at Palau de Congressos!

Tuesday 4th February

Tue
09:30 - 10:00
Keynote

Airport Scope 3 Emissions: Is One Number Good Enough?

Airports globally face heightened environmental scrutiny and an obligation to report and mitigate Scope 3 emissions—those created by your airline partner operations. RDC Aviation set out to create a new standard for airport Scope 3 Emissions Data. This session will introduce how we developed flight-level emissions reporting for your airport—all without you sending us anything.

Declan Maguire, Account Director, RDC Aviation
Tue
10:00 - 10:30
Head to Head

Volotea

Founder & CEO of Volotea, Carlos Muñoz will be in conversation with John Strickland. We'll learn a little about the history of the airline, which from small beginnings, has grown to be an important European player.
In discussion will be the development of the airline's strategy of focussing on secondary cities, across multiple markets from its Spanish, French and Italian bases.
How will it's network and fleet evolve? What are it's plans for the new partnership with Aegean? 
Don't miss this fascinating opportunity to gain insight into Volotea's future direction!

Carlos Muñoz, CEO, Volotea
Tue
11:00 - 11:30
Head to Head

easyJet

Moderated by Patrick Edmond, this dynamic session explores the key challenges and opportunities shaping the future of low-cost carriers (LCCs). Is the next phase of growth about expanding to new airports or strengthening networks from existing ones? How will rising carbon prices impact the affordability that has fueled LCCs' success, and can traffic continue to grow in a decarbonizing world? Discover easyJet's take on competing with network carriers in the short-haul market, addressing cost gaps with rivals like Ryanair and Wizz, and whether “more of the same” will define its strategy. Learn how easyJet Holidays is driving network decisions and reshaping the airline's approach to the evolving European market.

Agi Smith, Head of Airport Development, easyJet
Tue
11:30 - 12:00
Keynote

The impact of Sustainability, Congestion, and Travel Trends on Network Development

Delve into the current state of the market and explore how airlines and airports can adapt their network strategies and route development to meet demands of economic feasibility, carbon reduction initiatives, social impact and operational excellence.
Review the figures and trends and gain insights into balancing growth with sustainable goals. Join Cirium's chief strategist to discover how data-driven approaches and innovation can pave the way for a more resilient aviation sector.

Kevin O’Toole, Chief Strategy Officer, Cirium
Tue
12:00 - 12:30
Head to Head

Icelandair

Icelandair continues to expand its range of European and US destinations from its Reykjavik hub. The airline is introducing new Airbus A321 LR aircraft, opening up opportunities for further network developments. It is also strengthening its commercial partnerships with airlines like Emirates and Southwest.Join John Strickland in an exclusive interview with Helgi Mar Björgvinsson, Director of Partnerships & Corporate Affairs, as they dive into Icelandair's bold strategy for the future.

Helgi Már Björgvinsson, Partnerships & Corporate Affairs - CEO Office, Icelandair
Tue
14:00 - 14:30
Keynote

The revision of the Commission Aviation Guidelines: What to Expect?

The European Commission has recently initiated the revision of its Guidelines on aid to airports and airlines. The 2014 Guidelines have largely missed the mark by providing inadequate and unrealistic conditions for the funding of airports and the promotion of new routes.

Will the public consultation launched in 2024 allow the Commission to get an actual insight of the reality of the sector and to grasp its actual needs in order to adopt a more relevant legal framework ?

Annabelle Lepièce, partner at CMS Belgium and State aid expert, will present the latest trends on State aid in the aviation sector, including the most recent Commission practice.

Annabelle Lepièce, Lawyer, CMS DeBacker
Tue
14:30 - 15:30
Panel Discussion

Eastern European Market: Evolving Trends and Opportunities

Over recent decades, Low Cost Carriers have brought enormous changes to connectivity and mobility both within Eastern Europe, and between Eastern and Western Europe.  

LCCs like Ryanair and Wizz Air in particular compete intensively here, increasingly complemented by network carriers as well as LCCs, but the region is also having to deal with geopolitical challenges: the war in Ukraine and its effect on neighbouring countries, and the political turmoil in Georgia.

How are some of the significant players in the region dealing with the challenges, and how do they see the potential for development and the opportunities ahead? With an expert panel, we'll explore the way forward for airports, airlines, and travellers across this region.

Moderator

Patrick Edmond, Consultant, CONNECT Aviation

Panel

Nina Vojnic Zagar, CEO, Pula Airport
Irakli Karkashadze, CEO, United Airports of Georgia
Mantas Vrubliauskas, VP Network Development, airBaltic
Pawel Kranc, Network Advisor, Gdansk Lech Walesa Airport
Ridgers Mema, Managing Director, Tirana International Airport
Tue
16:00 - 16:30
Head to Head

Head to Head

John Strickland in conversation with André Alves, Network Planning Director at Iberia

André Alves, Proposal Manager, Onet Airport Services
Tue
16:30 - 17:00
Keynote

Skyscript Report: Unlocking hidden demand in airline networks

Experience how real-time traveler data and advanced analytics are transforming network analysis. Developed by trustme! aviation consulting in collaboration with Kiwi.com, the Skyscript Report goes beyond outdated statistics to deliver clear, actionable insights drawn directly from global booking behaviors. This turnkey solution integrates demand analysis, catchment area insights, and competitive assessments to uncover new opportunities for airports, airlines, and tourism authorities. By combining proven expertise with fresh, forward-looking data, the Skyscript Report helps stakeholders optimize routes, understand evolving travel patterns, and make more informed decisions—all at a competitive price. Join us to see how you can improve your network strategy and stay ahead in today's rapidly changing aviation landscape.

Tibor Meszaros, CCO, trustme! aviation consulting GmbH

Wednesday 5th February

Register Now

Ready to start growing your network?

3-5 Feb 2025
Girona, Spain