ACI Europe - Airport Industry Connectivity Report, 2023

The Airport Industry Connectivity Report 2023 provides a comprehensive analysis of air connectivity trends in Europe, highlighting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions on the aviation industry. The report reveals that the recovery of air connectivity has been anything but uniform when one looks across geographies and individual airport markets. Recovery patterns are now driving more structural changes, reflecting a new reality for the aviation market. The dynamic recovery of direct connectivity compared to indirect connectivity is a case in point, along with the way in which hub connectivity remains much below its pre-pandemic levels. The report also points out that the climate emergency is bringing the societal role and value of air connectivity into question. While the aviation sector is committed to net-zero air connectivity and is working hard to deliver it, policymakers and regulators have a crucial role to play in enabling this transformation. The report highlights the importance of safeguarding open market access for airlines, reforming airport slot allocation rules, achieving the Single European Sky, and reviewing visa policies to reduce administrative burdens and delays. Ultimately, making air connectivity sustainable requires achieving decarbonisation while preserving its formidable economic and social benefits. These must go hand-in-hand if we are to de-risk our future across the board. The report concludes by calling for a collaborative effort between the aviation industry, policymakers, and regulators to address these challenges and ensure a sustainable future for air connectivity in Europe.