BRUSSELS – The European Regions Airline Association (ERAA) supports the objectives of the European Commission’s EU Tourism Strategy, particularly its focus on strengthening competitiveness and recognising the importance of regional connectivity. However, ERAA cautions that the strategy’s implementation must not undermine the competitiveness of regional airlines.
Europe is already the world’s leading tourism destination. Tourists visit the major cities, but they also explore smaller towns and rural areas that are inaccessible by road or rail. Islands and mountainous regions, such as Corsica, Madeira, the Azores, and northern Norway, rely heavily on regional connections to draw in visitors. Regional airlines operate routes that bring travellers to these destinations, supporting local businesses, creating jobs, and driving regional development. This makes the strategy’s recognition of the importance of connectivity for islands, rural communities, and remote regions particularly important.
A study commissioned by ERAA found that tourism enabled by regional aviation supported an estimated 4.5 million jobs and contributed €205 billion in gross value added across Europe in 2023.
Despite this significant contribution, regional airlines face growing financial pressures. Rising fuel and regulatory compliance costs are particularly challenging on thin routes, where fewer passengers mean airlines have less room to absorb additional expenses. These costs can ultimately translate into higher airfares, making travel within the EU less affordable and European destinations potentially less attractive compared with those outside the EU.
Montserrat Barriga , ERAA’s Director General, stated:
“As the Commission moves towards implementing the strategy, ERAA calls for a translation of these objectives into practical measures that strengthen the tourism sector while ensuring a level-playing field that safeguards the competitiveness of European regional airlines and recognising regional aviation’s economic realities.”
The EU Tourism Strategy must lead to regulations and investment that strengthen tourism without adding additional obligations that would further undermine the competitiveness of regional airlines. This will help Europe solidify its position as the world’s leading tourism destination while ensuring that regions across the continent share in its success.