ACI Europe – competitive pressures weigh heavily on airports; regional ones fare better than hubs

European regional airports have enjoyed a faster return rate to pre-COVID traffic levels than have hubs and major gateways, their businesses expanded by a plethora of LCCs and ULCCs.

But those airlines are the ones most likely to drive the hardest bargains when negotiating user charges, which are down by 13% although airline fares have increased by 26%.

Hence, according to ACI Europe, while general disruption risks have declined, some of those airports are sure to face a tough summer.

The over-regulation of the sector, while airlines fundamentally do as they please, is an anachronism that has to end soon.