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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
Welcome from the Hosts of CONNECT 2025!






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?

Meet us at our hosts' stand!
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





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

Panel




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.

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

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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.

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.
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Panel


Elevate your route development game: Best practices for airline engagement
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.


Tuesday 4th February
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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

Wednesday 5th February
“As always CONNECT was fantastic, congratulations to all the team and to Karin for the wonderful organisation, missing to be part of the organisation. Fantastic event, fantastic organisation & fantastic people!”
“Excellent event looking forward to 2024.”
“CONNECT enabled us to meet with a good number of our airline partners. We were also able to take the temperature of the industry in terms of how other airports and industry leaders see things.”
“This was the first time I came to CONNECT in a few years and was impressed to see how much it has developed whilst retaining its small event feel with a quality meeting structure and networking.”
“The experience was excellent before and during the event; thank you very much for your effort. Keep going!”
“Connect is a conference where you can meet all your current and potential airline partners in a very relaxed way!”
“The event’s flexibility in scheduling meetings and timings was greatly appreciated. It provided a fantastic venue for meeting and greeting my airport clients.”
“Perfect hospitality. The number of confirmed meetings exceeded our expectations.”
“A fantastically organised event down to the tiniest details. It was my first time at CONNECT and I was thoroughly impressed. I could not have imagined a better way to resume networking in person!”
“The CONNECT format, with a limited number of participants, created the perfect environment for networking. And the location itself was exceptional. I can’t recall any other event where I felt so inspired to kickstart new routes, but Santa Domingo did just that.”
“Thank you for the event organisation. As always excellent organisation, quality meetings, transfers worked well, and the food was great during the event (which makes a massive difference). Thank you, we look forward to next year’s event!”
“Perfect organization, both for meetings and for leisure time. CONNECT does compare better than other events in the aviation industry, with longer meeting slots, less stressed timing, which helps people talking and doing business.”
“CONNECT is a very good fit for us with regards to attending airlines and their representatives! It’s an intimate setting, even though it's still a big event and a good value for money. Following this event, we are planning increased capacity on existing routes.”
“An excellent 3 days full of meetings and great networking events. A very good opportunity to meet airports we would not have thought about creating brainstorming opportunities.”
“Your availability, your interest in your clients, your friendliness and your flexibility amount to the best possible loyalty program anyone could provide.”
“I had more meetings than expected. Very professional and highly effective in a cordial and relaxed environment. A great event!”
“We performed 60 meetings in three days with the airports we were looking for, it would have took us months to achieve that without CONNECT. We got an excellent return on investment and we ended up having concrete request for commercial proposals. Real value for money!”
“What a fantastic CONNECT conference in Cagliari, over 40 meetings in 3 days which is a new record for RDC. A great opportunity to catch up with clients and introduce other companies to our products.”
“The event exceeded our expectations. It was very well-organised and we had lots of opportunities to meet and discuss with airlines and airports.”
“CONNECT New World was, in my opinion, a fantastic, necessary and useful initiative.”
“There is great attention to detail and the CONNECT team are like an army of ants with their eyes on everything!”
“Our onsite meetings were trebled with help from the CONNECT team, and we are more than satisfied with these discussions, that are the beginning of long conversations opened up for the future.”
“CONNECT is a great format to network with industry professionals and decision-makers. Through our connections at the event, Flyadeal launched 3 routes to Tbilisi International Airport, with 9 frequencies per week.”
“Thank you so much for the excellent organisation, I only could spend 24h at CONNECT but it was 200% worth it!”
“Great event to meet and greet friends and colleagues from the industry in the Latin American and Caribbean region.”
“I was highly impressed by the level of organization at the event. It ran smoothly and provided a unique opportunity to connect with representatives from smaller Caribbean airports, a rarity at other conferences.”
“I had better outcomes than expected in the meetings I had and the networking events were very good.”
“Very nicely arranged with proper spreading of breaks and meetings.”
“During the event we had a lot of scheduled and unscheduled meetings, giving us many opportunities to meet with airport delegates. Thank you for the help and support!”
“As always, it was a great pleasure seeing you in Tampere after very long time. We enjoyed both Tampere and Finland, so thanks for bringing us to places we probably would not visit by ourselves. Thanks for an amazing event (as usual) and hospitality, we look forward to seeing you next year in Morocco!”