During the Regional Airports Conference & Exhibition on 28 April 2026, the Airports Council International (ACI) Europe and its Regional Airports Forum have called for European policy changes to relieve the pressure on regional airports across the continent.
During the 2026 edition of the annual ACI EUROPE Regional Airports Conference & Exhibition, hosted by Torino Airport, members of ACI Europe and the Regional Airports Forum have underlined the problems that many regional airports are facing in 2026.
The jet fuel crisis sparked by the U.S.-Israel war on Iran is not only causing potential shortages and airfare increases but is also urging airlines to reduce their flight schedules, with regional airports often being the first ones to be left out. ACI Europe also points out the rollout of the Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) as an obstacle for regional airports, especially during the busy summer season.
“The post-COVID-19 reality had already revealed a multi-speed regional airport market – with a clear divide between small regional airports whose passenger traffic still remains more than 30% below 2019 levels, and larger ones that have seen their traffic increasing by more than 16%. The current levels of jet fuel prices and the prospect of a new cost-of-living crisis mean that many regional airports across our continent are likely to face both a supply and demand shock. For them, this is nothing short of an existential threat,” said Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI EUROPE.
Furthermore, regional airports are faced with structural cost increases caused by inflationary pressures and increased traffic seasonality, while user charges have, on average, remained 11% below their pre-pandemic levels according to Airports Council International Europe. All in all, the organisation concludes that it has become harder than ever for small regional airports to remain financially viable.
“Considering that they are channeling 35% of Europe’s air connectivity, regional airports are clearly indispensable enablers of the EU’s Single Market, and essential for cohesion and regional development. An airport is truly what puts a community not just on the European but on the global map. Our strategic relevance has been growing in recent years, strengthening the role we play in the EU’s tourism diversification agenda. This calls for effective EU and national policy frameworks to support regional airports,” stated Andrea Andorno, CEO of Torino Airport and Chair of the ACI EUROPE Regional Airports Forum.
In order to relieve pressure on Europe’s regional airports, ACI EUROPE and its Regional Airports Forum are suggesting five concrete policy actions.
- Abolishing national aviation taxes.
- Safeguarding operating aid for regional airports of up to 1 million passengers per year.
- Accelerating aviation decarbonisation through additional support for the production and deployment of affordable Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) as well as the implementation of the recently adopted AZEA Roadmap for the deployment of hybrid, electric, and hydrogen aircraft in Europe.
- Allowing the full suspension of the Schengen EES in case of excessive and unmanageable waiting times at border control throughout the Summer season 2026 and beyond.
- Safeguarding and further developing Open Skies Agreements at EU level to boost connectivity and competitiveness.
