Small regional airports across Europe could face closure if ongoing fuel shortages linked to tensions in the Middle East lead to widespread flight cancellations, according to ACI Europe.
The organisation warned that regional hubs are particularly vulnerable, describing the situation as an “existential threat” if airlines reduce capacity and raise fares — a combination that tends to hit price-sensitive routes the hardest.
Regional Airports Remain Fragile Post-Pandemic
Olivier Jankovec said many smaller airports have yet to recover from the impact of COVID-19, with passenger traffic still around 30% below 2019 levels. In contrast, major European hubs have largely returned to growth.
This imbalance leaves regional airports more exposed to sudden shifts in airline strategy, particularly when carriers cut less profitable routes during periods of rising operational costs.
A recent example cited by the industry is Lufthansa, which cancelled around 20,000 summer flights operated by its subsidiary Lufthansa CityLine, highlighting how quickly capacity can be withdrawn from secondary markets.
Fuel Costs And Policy Changes Add Pressure
The current strain is being driven in part by rising jet fuel prices, linked to geopolitical instability in the Middle East. If costs continue to climb, airlines may pass them on through higher fares or reduce flight frequencies, further weakening demand on regional routes.
At the same time, ACI Europe warned that upcoming regulatory changes could compound the problem. The full rollout of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) — which requires non-EU travellers to provide biometric data at borders — may create operational bottlenecks at smaller airports.
The group has called for flexibility, including the ability to suspend the system if excessive queues emerge.
Demand Remains Resilient — For Now
Despite mounting concerns, International Air Transport Association director general Willie Walsh recently stated that the current crisis has not yet dampened overall demand for air travel.
However, the divergence between strong global demand and the fragile position of regional airports underscores a growing structural challenge within European aviation — one where smaller players may struggle to withstand prolonged economic and operational pressure.
