The Routes Committee foresees a record 2023
The Routes Committee expects that this year the connectivity of Bilbao and Bizkaia will surpass its best figures and the territory will achieve a new record in terms of connections, frequencies and seat offer. In order to underpin this goal, a work agenda has been set for 2023 that includes, among other milestones, the four major events in the sector: FITUR, CONNECT Route Development Forum, Routes Europe and Routes World.
New direct flights
The forecasts for next summer are excellent. In fact, it is hoped to surpass the balance of 2019, the last year without the impact of the pandemic, so that the territory will be further consolidated as a tourist attraction and the airport will establish itself as a benchmark in northern Spain.
This year the Bilbao aerodrome launches new direct flights to Warsaw, Riga, Marrakech, Santorini and the Azores, and recovers destinations such as Vienna and Faro. It is also extending connections to Zurich, Hamburg and Brussels.
The increase in frequencies, as well as the number of seats planned, is guaranteed. In addition, the arrival of Wizz Air, the largest low-cost airline in Central and Eastern Europe, will increase the connectivity potential of Bilbao and Bizkaia.
Routes World, flagship event
The starting point for the Committee in 2023 will be FITUR, the International Tourism Trade Fair, which will be held from 18 to 22 January in Madrid. Several meetings with major airlines have been confirmed at this global forum for tourism professionals.
The next important event will take place at the end of February (22-24) with the CONNECT Route Development Forum in Tangiers, where airlines, airports, tourism delegations and other players in the sector will set the strategies for the future of aviation.
After that, it will be time to attend Routes Europe, the great forum for continental connectivity, which will be held in the Polish city of Lódz on 9, 10 and 11 May. It is a key moment to close the 2023 winter calendar and start shaping 2024.
The Committee will close the year with the industry’s flagship event, the 28th edition of Routes World, to be held on 15-17 October in Istanbul. The global route development community will gather to discuss exclusive information, create networking opportunities and lay the groundwork for the coming season.