April 2025

ACI EUROPE News

Regional Airports call for policy reset to address their existential challenges

This week, ACI EUROPE has brought together its vibrant community of regional airports in Dalaman, Türkiye, for the flagship Regional Airports Conference & Exhibition, hosted by YDA Dalaman Airport. On this occasion, regional airports sounded the alarm about their growing economic and connectivity challenges, urging urgent action from EU and national policymakers.

While larger regional airports have seen passenger traffic soar to +11.7% above 2019 levels, their smaller counterparts are still 35.1% below pre-pandemic volumes. The post-COVID aviation landscape has amplified longstanding vulnerabilities:

  • Leisure and VFR travel dominate demand, benefitting tourist hotspots but marginalising airports reliant on business traffic.
  • Ultra Low Cost Carriers (LCCs) have expanded selectively, favouring larger airports, while Full Service Carriers (FSCs) have sharply reduced operations at smaller ones – as a result, seat capacity at smaller regional airports remains -27% below 2019 levels.

Andrea Andorno, CEO of Torino Airport, described the current dynamic as a “harsh market reality” where LCCs’ strategic flexibility has left many regional airports in a precarious position, squeezed by ever-increasing competitive pressures.

Financial struggles and threats to cohesion

Regional airports – especially smaller ones – are finding it increasingly difficult to achieve financial viability. Rising costs, ever-present seasonality, and shrinking yields have combined with a real-term drop in airport charges since 2019.

Looking ahead, climate-related regulations, particularly in the EU and UK, are expected to further hit air demand, with passenger volumes at smaller airports potentially dropping by up to 20% by 2050. This would erode regional connectivity and undermine Europe’s economic competitiveness, as regional airports currently underpin 35% of European air connectivity.

ACI EUROPE’s policy priorities essential for survival

To counter these threats, ACI EUROPE is calling for an urgent EU policy reset, based on four key pillars:

  • Extend operating aid for smaller regional airports beyond 2027 to safeguard cohesion and the Single Market.
  • Deliver a robust EU Sustainable Transport Investment Plan, ensuring financial support for decarbonisation and renewable energy projects at airports.
  • Abolish national aviation taxes that penalise air connectivity and economic growth.
  • Strengthen Open Skies agreements to preserve and expand air services across Europe and beyond.

Speaking in Dalaman, ACI EUROPE Director General Olivier Jankovec stressed that without immediate action, regional communities risk losing essential air links, which would impact both social inclusion and broader economic resilience.

Read our Press Release here.