Routes Americas, now in its 5th year, is the annual gathering of air service decision makers for all of the Americas, and sales for the event officially opened today. The 2012 event will take place on February 19-21, 2012 and is hosted by Nassau Airport Development Company (NADC). The Bahamas, which is centrally located within the Americas, is the ideal location for airports, airlines, tourism authorities (CVBs), policy leaders, keynote speakers, and exhibitors to meet, do business, and plan for the future.

Routes Americas attracts key decision makers from a wide variety of airlines. With legacy, low-cost, regional, and charter carriers all in attendance, airlines are represented by senior key decision makers that are responsible for making decisions on both new and existing routes. Among others airlines such as American Airlines, Copa Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Insel Air, Southwest Airlines, and TAM Linhas Aereas have already confirmed their attendance for the 2012 event proving that this is the event for all of the Americas and is suitable for both international and domestic network planners.

In addition to the one-to-one meetings, the Routes Americas Strategy Forum will take place on the afternoon of Sunday, February 19. A panel of leading industry experts will take part in moderator-led discussions addressing aviation and route development issues across the Americas region including:

- Taxation - the real cost to the economy and the impact on the aviation industry

- Airport Privatization – short-term expectations, long-term investment, and lessons learned from across the globe

- Cargo Trends – issues affecting growth and potential in the region

- The State of the American Market

The forum, which is open to all Routes Americas delegates, promises to be both stimulating and enjoyable, with moderators encouraging debate between the panelists and members of the audience. This is a key element of the event, which should not be missed.

Nassau is the capital and the gateway to the Bahamas connected by bridge to the neighboring Paradise Island, which is the home of the famous Atlantis Resort, which will be the venue for this event.

The development of new roads and highways, a new shipping port and terminal makes Nassau easily accessible - only 180 miles off the coast of southern Florida, a short 3-hour flight from New York City, and less than an hour’s flight from South Florida, this destination offers a mixture of the old and the new for all visitors.

“We are very excited to have the opportunity to host the 2012 Routes Americas and to be able to receive and entertain delegates from around the world,” said NADC President and CEO Stewart Steeves continuing, “Together with our partners, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Atlantis, and other tourism stakeholders, we hope to use the 2012 forum to showcase the Bahamas and the incredible development that is taking place on Nassau and Paradise Island.”

“With the range of airlines already registered to attend Routes Americas 2012, we can already see that the central location of Nassau within the Americas will ensure delegates from all over the region are able to easily attend,” commented David Stroud, Executive Vice President, Airports for UBM Aviation Routes continuing, “With registrations already received from US Airways, Southwest, Volaris, Copa Airlines, Air Jamaica, Caribbean Airlines, and many more, all of the Americas region will be covered, and I am confident that the 5th Routes Americas will leave a big and positive impression with our delegates.”

With more than 3.2 million traveling each year through the country’s largest airport, the Lynden Pindling International Airport is the major gateway for the entire Bahamas. In March 2011, the new US Departures Terminal opened as stage one of the airport’s US$409.5 million re-development project. Stage two, a 226,000 sq. ft. International Arrivals terminal is currently under construction, with a completion date of fall 2012. The third and final stage, a new International/Domestic Departures and Domestic Arrivals terminal, will be completed in the fall of 2013.

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