Europe’s regional airports are experiencing a fragmented recovery, with larger hubs surpassing pre-pandemic passenger traffic while smaller airports remain significantly below 2019 levels, according to discussions at ACI EUROPE’s annual Regional Airports Conference & Exhibition hosted in Dalaman.
ACI EUROPE reported that while larger regional airports (handling 1–10 million passengers) have seen traffic rise 11.7% above 2019 figures, smaller airports (under 1 million passengers) are still down 35.1%. Structural changes in the aviation market — including increased leisure travel, the retreat of business travel, and the expansion of ultra-low-cost carriers (LCCs) — have driven this divergence. LCC seat capacity is up 29% at larger regional airports this summer, but remains 27% below 2019 at smaller ones. Full service carriers have halved capacity at smaller airports.
“These airlines have become essential for regional connectivity but are also putting extraordinary pressure on cost reduction,” said Andrea Andorno, CEO of Torino Airport and Chair of ACI EUROPE’s Regional Airports Forum.
Financial viability remains a critical issue for many smaller airports, with rising costs, declining airport charges (down 12.1% in real terms), and heightened seasonal fluctuations. ACI EUROPE Director General Olivier Jankovec warned that upcoming EU and UK climate policies could further reduce traffic at smaller airports by up to 20% by 2050, undermining regional connectivity and economic cohesion.
To address these risks, ACI EUROPE is calling for four key policy actions:
Jankovec also urged Türkiye to revise its aviation policies to support regional airport growth, including lifting market access restrictions and allowing airports to adjust charges in line with inflation and investment needs.
YDA Dalaman Airport CEO Yiğit Laçin stressed the strategic role of regional airports in boosting tourism, job creation, and economic resilience, while highlighting the operational challenges that require targeted government support.
