Saudia Issues RFP to the World's Airports

MANCHESTER, England, September 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Route Exchange, the online platform for air service development, is delighted to announce the commencement of a Request for Proposal (RFP) from Saudia who are using the facility to support their network growth.

The national airline of Saudi Arabia, based at Jeddah-King Abdulaziz International Airport, operates domestic and international scheduled flights to over 70 destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe and North America.

Mr. Mohammed Binhafeez, Senior Planning Specialist at recently rebranded Saudia said:  "We are re-structuring our network and looking forward we aim to reach new destinations. In order to do that Saudia have invested heavily in an expansion of our fleet.  Moreover, the opening of the new Jeddah airport in 2014 will make links to new destinations and our current network more efficient. We are using Route Exchange to reach new markets and welcome airports worldwide to join the process to demonstrate what opportunities exist from their markets to our bases."

Declan Maguire, Business Development Manager for Route Exchange stated:  "The Saudia Request for Proposals represents an excellent opportunity for airports worldwide to pitch their route proposals directly to the planning team of a highly successful Middle Eastern carrier.  Saudia are prepared to listen to any airport who can demonstrate strong demand between their market and their Jeddah and Riyadh bases.  Saudia have specific intelligence requests of airports which are detailed in the full Request for Proposals (RFP) document"

Once airports have met the terms of the Prequalifying Questionnaire (PQQ), they will then be sent the formal RFP where they can complete a pre-defined data requirements and a proposal document. Saudia will then analyse the submissions before scheduling meetings with potential new airport partners at World Routes, The 18^th World Route Development Forum which will take place 29 September - 2 October this year in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

For more information on Route Exchange visit http://www.routesonline.com

Notes to Editors

About Routes

• Routes organises world-renowned airline and airport networking events through its regional and global Route Development Forums. Each year, there is one global event and one regional event in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas and CIS respectively. http://www.routesonline.com

• Routes was founded in 1995 as part of the Manchester UK‐based ASM Ltd., a consultancy specialising in the field of route development for airports. http://www.asm‐global.com

• Routes and ASM were acquired by UBM Aviation Worldwide Ltd in August 2010. From 1^st August 2012 Routes, ASM and the Airport Cities Conference and Exhibition become part of the UBM Live division of UBM plc.

• UBM Live connects people and creates opportunities for companies across five continents to develop new business, meet customers, launch new products, promote their brands and expand their markets.  Through premiere brands such as MD&M, CPhI, IFSEC, TFM&A, Cruise Shipping Miami, the Concrete Show, the Routes portfolio of events, Airport Cities and many others, UBM Live exhibitions, conferences, awards programs, publications, websites and training and certification programs are an integral part of the marketing plans of companies across more than 20 industry sectors. http://www.ubmlive.com

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SOURCE UBM Aviation Routes Ltd