Low Cost Airlines World Mena conference starts tomorrow

Abu Dhabi Vision:

His Excellency Khalifa Mazrouei, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Airports Company expressed his views, "We share the commitment of all conference participants to meet the needs of a price sensitive market, and to provide cost-effective solutions to travellers throughout the region. Our international airport in Al Ain Al is developing as a regional low-cost and cargo hub and as one of the fastest and most efficient airports in the UAE."

New Hubs, New Markets:

Mr. Adel Ali, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Air Arabia will be sharing his views about using new hubs to create new markets and redefine route development. "Air Arabia's successful strategy of creating new hubs for additional growth is a case in point. Other airlines can surely benefit from our learning," he says.

Low Cost, Long Haul:

Mr. Azran Osman-Rani, CEO, Air Asia X will be presenting his views on making 'low cost long haul' a reality in the Middle East and how it will benefit the region's legacy and Low Cost Carriers (LCCs). His views, "Bringing Air Asia X to Abu Dhabi will revolutionise low cost travel in the region. This is a positive move not only for passengers but also the regions LCC's. We plan to collaborate and build a stronger industry that delivers more choice and more value to passengers."

Saudi Arabian Insights:

Mr. Walter Prenzler, CEO, Nas Air, will outline the Nas Air strategy and offer insights into operating in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. "Nas Air will conclude a very successful year 2009 with a revenue increase of more than 100%. The LCC model in the MENA region has proven its sustainability during the current aviation crisis and it looks the worst is over for the aviation industry, at least for the LCC," he says.

Route Development:

Mr. Curtis Grad, CEO, Airports International Group will present his views on developing a profitable and competitive network. He says, "Over the past 12 months, the global economic crisis has transformed the market significantly. As a result, Low Cost Carriers have earned acceptance of customers in the Middle East, as a reliable and cost effective form of air transportation. It is to this effect that LCCs will have to seriously look at new routes development."

Opportunities in India:

Mr. Koustav Dhar, CEO and Executive Director, MDLR Airlines will talk on the outlook and opportunities for LCCs in India.

Kuwait's LCC is participating in a big way and has high hopes from the event. Jazeera Airways CEO Stefan Pichler says, "I am very much looking forward to meet with the leaders of our industry in this part of the world."

The three-day event 'Low Cost Airlines World MENA 2009' produced by Terrapinn, one of the world's leading business media companies, will see over 100 regional and international aviation executives to debate current challenges and plan future strategies.

For the past few years, the low cost airline industry in the MENA region is reaping the benefits of cost-conscious large expatriate population, impressive airport expansion plans, ideal geographic position, large pools of liquidity available to this sector even in recessionary times and regional liberalization of the aviation sector in general. According to International Air Transport Association (IATA), MENA would be the only region in the world to see positive demand growth of 1.2% in 2009 as compared to global air transport industry loss of $4.7bn.

Currently the key players in this segment within the region are UAE's Air Arabia and Fly Dubai, Kuwait's Jazeera Airways and Wataniya Airways, Saudi Arabia's Nas Air and Sama, Bahrain's Bahrain Air, Egypt's Al Masria, Lebanon's Menajet, Yemen's Felix and Turkey's Pegasus Airlines, Anadolu Jet, Atlas Jet, and Onur Air. In 2009 alone, four Low Cost Carriers were launched.

Abu Dhabi Airports Company is the Host Sponsor, Airport International Group and Sabre Airline Solutions are the Gold Sponsors, Hahn Air, iFLY AIRTIME and Lufhansa Technik are the Silver Sponsors