ACI Europe

Air connectivity in Europe is lagging the recovery of passenger volumes, ACI Europe has warned as airport leaders gather in Barcelona.

Airline and airport groups have some concerns about the International Air Transport Association’s call for governments to align on airport slot rules.

ACI and Eurocontrol have released a guide for airports to prepare for the heatwaves and thunderstorms more usually seen during the summer.

Listen in as leaders from ACI Europe and IATA share their views on the European recovery.

With Europe's airports, the return of traffic is patchy, depending on the airport’s size, traffic type and geographic location.

The European Parliament has approved the introduction of a 75/25 slot rule for winter 2022/23, ahead of returning to the standard 80/20 ‘use it or lose it’ rule in summer 2023.

The rules will revert at the end of current summer schedules in late October.

We round up some of the key quotes from the conference programme of Routes Europe 2022.

European traffic is poised for a strong rebound this summer but the picture has been clouded by geopolitical instability.

The study urges European countries considering banning short-haul flights to take a wide range of factors into consideration.

Passenger numbers last year were 59% lower than pre-pandemic levels and airports across the continent remain under 'considerable stress.'

The European Commission will require airlines to use-or-lose more EU airport slots in the 2022 summer.

A panel of airport leaders are optimistic that traffic will return to 2019 levels sooner than has been predicted.

The progressive reopening of long-haul markets will see Europe’s passenger traffic rebound in 2022, but the pace of recovery is happening at two speeds and air connectivity remains “markedly degraded” compared with 2019 levels.

IATA’s claims that a rise in airport charges is 'unacceptable behavior' and risks damaging the recovery has been met with a stern rebuke from ACI World.

The European Commission had an unenviable task of trying to please incumbent airlines, airports and opportunistic LCCs when it came to establishing the slot measures for winter flights.

IATA has slammed the move to set the winter slot use threshold at 50%, but ACI Europe has described the decision as a “first and crucial step” in reinstatement of slot usage rights.

Regional airline networks in Europe have been decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic, ACI Europe says.

Ryanair CEO says ULCC plans to add capacity quickly and stimulate demand through pricing.

The head of Prague Airport says offering airlines discounts alone is not the answer.

Access to medical facilities is dependent on air transport in many countries.

The CEOs of Ryanair Group and Wizz Air have called on regulators to reinstate the 80/20 airport slot rule or risk stifling the recovery.

Airports need to use data and technology to rebuild their business models in the post-COVID recovery, industry body says.

Travel ban remains in effect for US passengers.

Europe's airlines are expected to lose $23.1 billion in 2020.