RFP from Routesonline in demand
Guest Writers are not employed, compensated or governed by TD, opinions and statements are from the specific writer directly
Route Exchange, the online platform for air 
service development announced three new Request for Proposals (RFPs) from Saudi, Minoan Air and RAF-Avia. All three airlines are looking at using the facility to support their network growth which is due to commence between August 20th and September 3rd, 2012.
Saudia, now part of the Skyteam Alliance, will launch its Request for Proposal from September 3rd, looking at designated markets from Jeddah and Riyadh, Saudia has a number of long range aircraft entering the fleet which will be used for new route development. Minoan Air is looking to fly unserved routes within the EU with its fleet of Fokker 50 aircraft. Minoan will be very interested to speak with airports that can prove market potential from their airports.
Subsequently, RAF-Avia announced their interest in the European and Nordic markets via the Route Exchange. From Aug 20th airports registered with the Route Exchange will have access to the Formal Request for Proposal document, detailing RAF-Avia desire to develop their network in these markets.
Jelena Rigere, commercial director from Raf-Avia explains: “Being able to compare proposals airports submit on a like for like basis helps us to determine operational and commercial viability of operating at each airport. This is paramount to success of our commercial planning and key to developing our customer proposition.”
In a further development, US Low Cost Carrier JetBlue Airways became the latest carrier to agree to launch an RFP via the Route Exchange platform, details of which are to be released shortly.
Declan Maguire, business development manager for Route Exchange explained: “The Route Exchange will allow them to gather crucial information and data from target airports in order to make key decisions about their future planning.”
